Single parent and bathrooms!

[3PrinceMom]

I'm not sure if this has been asked before or not?!?! I am a single mother to 3 boys....unfortunately, my oldest son will not be on our next trip causing me a new dilemma! I am not comfortable leaving my 5 and 8 year old sons outside alone while I use the facilities. I am also not comfortable allowing them to use the men's room alone. My 5 year old sometimes requires "assistance" in the br. Is it acceptable to take them into the women's br?

 

[Disney_1derland]

In many, many locations across WDW there are companion bathrooms where you can all comfortably enter together. As far as the boys joining you in the bathroom, I'm not really sure what most people consider appropriate so I say that you need to do what you are comfortable with.

 

[Reddy]

I would go with the companion (all parks have them)
the 5 year old no one would say anything too
the 8 - if you are lucky they won'tsayanything but he will get looks (several threads have said that is pushing it)

 

[3PrinceMom]

My 5 years old could pass for an old 3 or young 4....and my 8 year old is a definite pass for 6. I know they could both be pushed in strollers without a problem. This will be our first year without a stroller....but that's another topic, lol. I just think if it's discreet enough....it would be ok. I've used the baby care center when toilet training. From what I've read about the companion restrooms....they are more meant for handicapped adults. Great that Disney has them! Now it's about time they add a family friendly restroom.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Fair warning that you're going to get answers from both sides of the fence here, and some may not be so nice.

 

[momtoejanda]

Not sure but can you use the baby centers?

I would feel comfortable leaving my kids outside the door there since it is inside and there are CM in there and very few other people.

 

[cinabug]

I say take them in if that is what makes you comfortable. I can't imagine that some dirty looks will make you as uncomfortable as the discomfort of worrying about your kids.

Also, I think you should feel free to use the companion bathroom if that is your best option. Many places now lump family and handicap bathrooms together. At our local fitness center, it is clearly inappropriate to take my two boys into the women's locker-room where women change out in the open. They also can't yet navigate the men's on their own. We use the family/handicap changing rooms, which is what we were told to do by the management. I think that's becoming the norm.

 

[Disneylandnewbie]

I think the idea to use the companions restroom is good but if there isn't one nearby you should bring them in the women's restroom. I used to bring my young boys in with me if I had to. I would think people could understand a child needing a restroom or a mother bringing her children in to keep them safe. I would never leave my boys somewhere alone at that age.

 

[Singledad]

. From what I've read about the companion restrooms....they are more meant for handicapped adults.

That is NOT the full truth. Companion restrooms, while used by handicapped adults (and children!) are for anyone who has a companion that needs to come into the restroom with them. for any reason. basicly companion restroom is the term used to combine handicapp and family room together. as a single dad of a 5 year old girl, there is no way I am taking her into the mens room with me. We use the companions. I don't dwaddle, so if there is someone who is waiting, they don't wait long, but I don't feel bad for using them.

They I think are your best bet. esp since, even if you take your boys into the ladies room with you, all of you won't fit in a stall, unless you wait for the handicap one, which *IS* the one main just for those who are have a disability. far better to use the companion one, imho. but, as said you will find people on both sides of that 'fence'.

 

[gibsontrio]

I say do whats in your comfort level. I definitely wouldnt leave my 5 year old boy alone, but I have an 8 year old and he fights me everytime I have made him come with me in the girls room ( highway rest stops I have forced him come with me ) If it were me I would leave the 8 yr old outside the door, and bring the 5 yr old, but again do what you feel is right and who cares what people think they arent the single parent alone.

 

[2kidsForMe]

I always take my 7 year old son into the restroom with me. He is even big for his age, but all of the stalls have doors, and it isn't like he can see anything anyway. I am going to the World alone this summer with the kids. I hope no one is offended, but there is just no way I would let him go into the men's room alone. For one thing, I can't be sure he would wash his hands

 

[em6668]

First of all who cares what people say or how they look at you. Do what you think is best for your family. And personally with kids that age, I don't care how safe we all feel at WDW, I would feel uncomfortable having them go in to a men's bathroom alone or wait outside the women's bathroom. Use the companion bathrooms if you come across one or bring them in the Women's bathroom with you. And be proud of putting the needs and safety of your children first.

 

[*Belle*]

I have seen many boys in the womens restroom with an adult. Never did I have an issue with this or felt anyone else did either. Please feel free to keep your boys safe. If the companion room is not available just go in to the womans. For goodness sakes their children.


Belle

 

[amybel]

I wouldn't give it a second look, I definetly wouldn't dream of someone leaving a 5 or 8 year old alone in such a busy place.

Companion bathrooms are probably your best bet

 

[Jaymie]

I totally agree, use the companion when you can, because it sounds like that might make you feel a little more comfortable. But bring them in the ladies room when you can't use a companion one. I would never say anything to anyone about bringing their son in the ladies restroom. 5 & 8 are way too young to leave alone outside, for sure.

Sure a change room at the gym is a little different. No stalls or privacy.

And don't worry about looks and what others might say, unless of course one of your sons is shaving already , then you may get dirty looks.

 

[Lees3rwe]

Do what you need to do... I would probably look at you twice if you left them outside alone.

FWIW... my son (he is now 10) was assaulted in a Target bathroom the very first time that I EVER let him go in a public restroom alone (he was 8 at the time.

I had been thinking that maybe it was time to give him a little independence, he had started arguing about going into the ladies room with me and it was a Tuesday afternoon at 2:00... store was slow and I was right outside of the bathroom.

I heard a bit of a commotion and then 4 teens ran out. He came out of the bathroom holding his rapidly bruising eye... he was walking to the sink and one of the boys punched him in the face.

Needless to say, he went in the ladies room with me for the rest of the year. Then, we made sure that we knew locations with single bathrooms (Chickfilet, the book store, etc). Now he is going to the mens alone. But I am always right outside and if I hear ANYTHING, I have no problem barging in.

You can never be too careful. Not meaning to scare you, but I would take them in...

 

[DanielleandBrady]

Do what you need to do... I would probably look at you twice if you left them outside alone.

FWIW... my son (he is now 10) was assaulted in a Target bathroom the very first time that I EVER let him go in a public restroom alone (he was 8 at the time.

I had been thinking that maybe it was time to give him a little independence, he had started arguing about going into the ladies room with me and it was a Tuesday afternoon at 2:00... store was slow and I was right outside of the bathroom.

I heard a bit of a commotion and then 4 teens ran out. He came out of the bathroom holding his rapidly bruising eye... he was walking to the sink and one of the boys punched him in the face.

Needless to say, he went in the ladies room with me for the rest of the year. Then, we made sure that we knew locations with single bathrooms (Chickfilet, the book store, etc). Now he is going to the mens alone. But I am always right outside and if I hear ANYTHING, I have no problem barging in.

You can never be too careful. Not meaning to scare you, but I would take them in...

I am so sorry that happened to your son!!! How horrible! What is wrong with people?!!! I hope that he wasn't too traumatized by the incident. I hope you weren't either!

I am a single mom to a boy and I have been grappling with this. Like so many PP's have said, do what makes you feel comfortable. You are their mom, and you know what's best. If people don't understand or give dirty looks, let them..because they aren't you and don't walk in your shoes. There is nothing that more that I can't stand is people who judge. I plan on using the companion bathrooms if I am near one, but if DS has to go, he has to go and we are heading to the ladies room!!! Have a great trip!!!

 

[Lees3rwe]

thanks...

He actually ended up having to have a couple of therapy sessions.
He wouldn't talk about it, but it started manifesting as anxiety in other areas.
He is ok now.

It really taught me that you can't be too careful though.

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

Maybe it is where I grew up but I think there is a bit of over reaction here. First of all we are talking about washrooms inside WDW parks. Not some dark bar late at night in the bad part of town. I mean there is no back door the child can go out. Also the thing most people often forget(which is surprising with all the Criminal Minds fans on this site) is that most of the types of crimes involving children involve people they know. Not some stranger at WDW.
Forgive me for my opinion but I just tend to think positive and think people are generally good and will not hurt a young child alone for any reason.
Do you escort your child everywhere he/she rides their bike? There is a lot more chance they will get injured on the bike than in the bathroom....anyway, I think I made my point.

 

[bdcp]

I think at 5 and 8 they can wait for you outside the restroom. Have them sit down and not move. I have two grown sons who were 28 months apart. As for going into bathrooms, when I didnt' have their dad with us, I sent them in together with the requirement they go in together and come out together by the time they were 5 and 7. We never had any issues anywhere. DH always took them when he was with us. If I only had a 5 yr old with me, I would take them in, an 8 year old, probably not. The bathrooms at WDW are usually busy enough that there shouldn't be any issue if the boys go in together. The same for them waiting for you outside. There's so many families and CM's around, that as long as they follow your instructions, they'll be fine.