Should I take my 10 yr old son in the ladies restroom?

[mickeyfan2]

Why don't you and your son use the men's room? There is nothing there that you or he has not seen.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I just wanted to point out that for some people these are the only toilets in the whole park that they can use (not the only restrooms, but the only toilets). So, for some people, using these restrooms is a necessity.

Most of the handicapped stalls in the restrooms are not large enough for a wheelchair to fit inside the stall with the person using the wheelchair (especially in MK and Epcot). This means, for example, that there are only 4 toilets in MK that my DD can use since she needs her wheelchair and me in the bathroom with her. There are other people in the same situation - like a disabled adult or older child who is being helped by a person of the opposite sex - who also have no other choices.
MK was the worst. We always had to wait there, and typically the wait was 10-15 minutes.

I'm not saying they are "reserved" for use by people with disabilities, only asking people to think of what other choices they may have available and realize that some people only have that one choice. If you have other choices, please consider them and, as much as possible, leave these Companion Restrooms for the people who have no other choices.

Also, if the Companion Restroom is occupied, please don't bang on the door. All the ones we used, had a small indicator saying "occupied" that shows up when the door is locked. Every single time we used a Companion Restroom, someone kncked on the door. I would call out that the room was in use. Sometimes there was no more knocking, we hurried as fast as we could, but there was no one waiting when we came out. Sometimes, people pounded on the door after I said it was occupied. Sometimes I heard a woman's voice say something like "Well, there is someone in there. I guess Daddy will have to take you to the men's room with him."

Thank you, Sue

 

[Luv4Disney]

I do have sons and my youngest is now 8. For about 2 years now he has been using the men's restroom. I stand right outside so I see him go in and know exactly when he is coming out. Each person has their own opinion on the subject......mine.........I think 10 is too old to be in the women's restroom, but that's just my opinion.

I agree with magicaldisney. I don't have sons, but I do get a little freaked at seeing an older boy in the ladies restroom. Smaller I understand, but I think 10 is too old in my opinion. But that's just me.

 

[mommyintn]

This is where it gets confusing. When I first came to this board there was a huge thread about the companion restrooms and that those restrooms were NOT for families, only handicapped. I was told it was wrong to use those restrooms because they handicapped people need those bathrooms, there were very few of the companion restrooms and handicapped people often can't wait in line for a restroom.

Does anyone know for sure???

I remember that and found one of the threads that discussed this. There is a distinction made between companion restrooms and family restrooms. If you need to use one fine, but remember to be as quick as possible so those they are intended for won't have to wait long. Same courtesy as using the handicap stall in the restroom.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=983299&highlight=companion+restrooms

 

[casey49781]

i have no problems with a mother who takes her children in the ladies room,,as all stalls have doors,,,and if they are a mother/son on a trip i would question the mother if she goes to the ladies room and then sends the boy to the mens room,,,its not safe even at disney,,its our job to keep them safe,,and by all means the airport as well,,,i personally dont care what others think its the safety of the children that counts,

 

[Aisling]

Just singling this post out, but it has been said many times in the thread already: there is a HUGE difference between companion and family restrooms, folks!!! Please know the difference!

I was under the impression that companion restroom was just another name for family restroom. Some places call it companion, some call it family. My reasoning was that "companion" meant someone helping a disabled person, or an adult of one gender helping a child of the opposite gender, or whatever the situation where "normal" restroom usage is difficult or impossible. There would be more than one situation requiring a restroom companion, not just for someone in a wheelchair and their helper.

I wonder if WDW has "companion restrooms" AND "family restrooms". If they do not, I would continue to believe that they are one and the same.

If I'm mistaken, I'll stand corrected.

 

[wdwguide]

I was under the impression that companion restroom was just another name for family restroom. Some places call it companion, some call it family. My reasoning was that "companion" meant someone helping a disabled person, or an adult of one gender helping a child of the opposite gender, or whatever the situation where "normal" restroom usage is difficult or impossible.

That is entirely how I understand and use them, and how it was explained to me when I inquired whether or not these are, in fact, handicapped-exclusive bathrooms with a more friendly-sounding label.
I agree that, as a common-sense courtesy, they shouldn't be used for trivial reasons, but taking a young child of the opposite sex to the restroom, especially in case of the father-daughter scenario (not meaning to be sexist, but urinals don't have private stalls at WDW, and some men are more discreet than others) is a perfectly legitimate reason per the explanation I received from guest relations.

Clearly, they are not for changing clothes, for teenagers or adults to engage in activities of physical affection, putting on make-up or hairstyling. 95% of all families in the park won't have to use them. But those who are legitimate users (and whether or not that includes a ten-year old son and his mother remains, I suppose, debatable based on the preceding discussion) should feel free to use them if they deem it *necessary* (necessary, not simply "convenient").

I'm not saying they are "reserved" for use by people with disabilities, only asking people to think of what other choices they may have available and realize that some people only have that one choice. If you have other choices, please consider them and, as much as possible, leave these Companion Restrooms for the people who have no other choices.

Well-said.

 

[bettyann29]

Just my opinion, but I think 10 is too old to go in the womens restroom..

 

[samijam]

I have 9 and 10 year old sons and I Do not take them in the ladies room. I have no problem waiting outside the mens room and I also have no problem walking in the men's room if I need to. I have never had a problem, my boys get in and get out asap. I wonder if they even wash their hands?

I think it's a little awkward to see boys over 8 in the ladies room.

 

[diannaneglia]

OK...this is a sticky topic here too...you see...my son has Aspergers Syndrome (high functioning autism) and I always took him in the ladies room with me. If I send him into the mens room by himself, god only knows what he is doing in there. He likes to touch EVERYTHING...things I don't even want to think about. My son is 11 and is a big boy...I have gotten dirty looks from other women when I am in there with him...but I have him use the bathroom and then stand at the door. I do feel odd doing this but I just don't like leaving him unattended in a mens room...unlike other boys his age, he is more apt to get into things and play. Just as an example...my sister was visiting and we went out to eat and she took him to the restroom...the mens...and stood outside the door...when they returned he had foam soap all over his throat, chin and shirt...I seriously thought he was in the bathroom puting foam beards on himself (I can just picture it) cause it is something he would do...but in questioning him he was doing something just as bad...he was putting the foam in both hands and then clapping so the soap splattered everywhere...lol...I know that alot of boys would do this too who don't have disabilities and this is a mild thing but I won't go into the gross things he does...like touching the toilet even though we constantly tell him not too...not to mention "who" might be in there with him...

Oh well I have talked this to death but I will just finish by saying...it is an individual thing...if you feel more comfortable taking your son in the ladies...do it and stop worrying what other people think...it is your peace of mind and your child...also I will be attempting to use the family restroom and taking Gabe with me if it is not available.

There I said it and I am done...lol!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Assuming your son has no other extenuating circumstances, IMO, a 10 year old boy is too old to be in the women's restroom. It is very close to the age of physical, emotional and sexual development. A 10 year old is pre-pubescent and needs a modicum of independence, trust and privacy. Personally, I would feel uncomfortable seeing a 10 year old boy in the women's restroom.

 

[almacdonald]

I, for one, do not appreciate having boys, ESPECIALLY 10 years old!!!! in the women's washroom. I don't care if there are doors, it's wrong. It's my right to have a man-free washroom. If you're THAT worried about your son in a washroom for his own gender maybe you should stay home, or put him in a diaper. All kidding aside. It irritates me to no end when parents won't let their children grow up. If you insist on holding their hand (and wiping their ***) use a family restroom so the rest of us can pee without curious almost teenagers in the bathroom.

 

[MarySB]

Maybe it's time the US did like they do in Europe---unisex bathrooms---Could cut the time we women spend waiting in line, too!

 

[momrek06]

I do have sons and my youngest is now 8. For about 2 years now he has been using the men's restroom. I stand right outside so I see him go in and know exactly when he is coming out. Each person has their own opinion on the subject......mine.........I think 10 is too old to be in the women's restroom, but that's just my opinion.

OP: I have not read the entire Thread BUT saw this response and this is EXACTLY what I did when my sons were younger with me alone w/o DH! AND I actually would stand RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DOOR and CALL HIS NAME, I did not care if I appeared to be an idiot mom, but I would yell, "MIKE..you OKAY" and he would yell back "YES, MOM, be right there"!

Yes, they were using the men's restroom by age 8 for sure BUT I handled it as stated above.

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

Definately to old! I used to teach that age of children and I also think that they would be totally embarassed to be in there. Let them go on their own and wait outside the men's room for them. Tink

 

[Magickndm]

OP: I have not read the entire Thread BUT

The OP left the building a LONG time ago.

 

[Mickey's Sister]

I, for one, do not appreciate having boys, ESPECIALLY 10 years old!!!! in the women's washroom. I don't care if there are doors, it's wrong. It's my right to have a man-free washroom. If you're THAT worried about your son in a washroom for his own gender maybe you should stay home, or put him in a diaper. All kidding aside. It irritates me to no end when parents won't let their children grow up. If you insist on holding their hand (and wiping their ***) use a family restroom so the rest of us can pee without curious almost teenagers in the bathroom.

Since when is a 10 year old boy a man - on what planet? It's not a matter of just 'growing up'. Not one of these mothers was worried about her son going into the restroom alone because she felt her son was too young to use the facilities on his own nor to wipe his *** as you so rudely put it, but because of the dangers to young boys in restrooms. If you think that they're imagined then you don't need to visit Disney because you're already living in Fantasyland!

 

[lclark0621]

My DS's safety is more important to me then your, or even your daughter's comfort.

Yep...Thats ride. When it comes to the safety of my child, I dont care about your comfort level. I care about my child.

And I am sure all the mothers of the girls who are "uncomfortable about a boy in the ladies room" feel the same way about THEIR DAUGHTER'S safety.

I mean really, would you send your daughter into a potentionally unsafe situation because of mine or my DS's comfort?

 

[drogerstn]

Maybe it's time the US did like they do in Europe---unisex bathrooms---Could cut the time we women spend waiting in line, too!

There are separate men’s and women’s restrooms in Europe. There are many different countries and customs within the continent of Europe. Every country I have visited in Europe had separate restrooms; steam rooms, hot tubs, and saunas are a different story...

 

[TastefullyChris]

I have two boys, age 10 and 12. I always brought them into the ladies room with me until THEY started protesting...around age 6-7. At that point I began to let them go on their own to the men's room on a "case-by-case" basis. For example, Target...OK. Airport...NOT OK. At the age they are now, I probably would let them go to the men's room together...even at the airport.

I personally do not care if there are boys in the ladies room. Anything I do that is private is behind the stall door. HOWEVER, I think it is incredibly embarrassing for the boys after age 8-9 or so. Also, bizarre behavior is not restricted to the men's room. Last month I went into the ladies room at our local McDonald's and got the shock of my life when I encountered a woman at the sink NAKED from the waist down!!! She was giving herself a little "sponge bath". I didn't know whether to enter or leave, but I had to go so bad, I just ducked into a stall. Then I hoped she would leave before I came back out to wash my hands....oh...wait. I DID NOT want to use that sink! Thank goodness for the hand sanitizer in my purse!