In the future when is it inappropriate...

meg_2006 · June 2012

...to take your son into the women's restroom? I know this is waaaaay in the future, but we were at an amusement park yesterday and I was shocked at the age of some of the boys in there. Now I understand more if it's a mom alone with her kiddos, trying to get them dressed before/after swimming (but still, please don't let your little boy run around while you get dressed and stare through everyone else's curtains). But when they're just using the restroom...at what age should they go on their own? I have the first boy in our family so this is a whole new world for us

WDYT?

namara5532 · June 2012

I don't have experience in this topic, but I'd let DS use the bathroom by himself when he's old enough to remember all the steps by himself. Before then, if he's potty trained, he'll go with daddy. I'd say probably by age 5 I'd let him go to the men's room alone, but I'd stand outside waiting for him. I may decide to wait a year or so though depending on his maturity level.

michaelaskedlauren · June 2012

Ive seen signs at places saying that I think 5 or 6 is the cut-off. These arent public restrooms though but rather locker rooms.

meg_2006 · June 2012

That was around the age I was thinking, but I wanted to see what everyone else thought. I know in school the Pre-K kids still need a little help in the bathroom but at K they go on their own.

Lhand11 · June 2012

I actually asked my brother this question the other day. My nephew is 7 and I let him go to the bathroom by himself when it was just the two of us out and about. I then started to get worried thinking he was going to be kidnapped or molested (my crazy mommy paranoia kicked in). My brother says he still goes with him (easy because he is a guy) but if he let him go by himself, he always checked the bathroom first, just to scope it out. I think it just depends on where you are and the situation. Definitely 8/9 is a cutoff though.

CuppyCakes88 · June 2012

meg_2006...I know this is off topic but how did your LO do at the park? I am debating taking LO to my favorite amusement park, obviously not to ride rides but just to go. Was it difficult?

Thinkerbelle80 · June 2012

I used to be annoyed by it but now that I have a child, I can't imagine letting them go into a public restroom alone. There could be all sorts of strangers in there and who knows what could happen. I don't know what age but I'd probably be still nervous around school age though I wouldn't take them into the ladies room with me at that age.

meg_2006 · June 2012

CuppyCakes88:
meg_2006...I know this is off topic but how did your LO do at the park? I am debating taking LO to my favorite amusement park, obviously not to ride rides but just to go. Was it difficult?

He did great! He's a pretty easy-going baby, so that helps. It was 98 degrees outside so we just kept in him a onesie and went to the pool when it was the hottest. I gave him those freezable teethers to chew on now and then. He took his naps as usual for the most part, he can still sleep almost anywhere. In the evening he had a stretch where he didn't want to sleep for 3.5 hrs, and he was pretty cranky when he got in the car; But he fell asleep after we fed him.

ryry1977 · June 2012

I understand that they have to behave (or should!) while in the womans restroom, but I won't let my DS got in the mens by himself for a long time. I hear too many horror stories about men in the restrooms to take any chances. If I wouldn't send my little girl in a mens room alone I'm not sending my little boy (I do understand that is different...but some men like boys). I may be overprotective, but that is my baby! Not sure what age I will let him go in by himself...only time will tell.

wolson1988 · June 2012

ryry1977:
I understand that they have to behave (or should!) while in the womans restroom, but I won't let my DS got in the mens by himself for a long time. I hear too many horror stories about men in the restrooms to take any chances. If I wouldn't send my little girl in a mens room alone I'm not sending my little boy (I do understand that is different...but some men like boys). I may be overprotective, but that is my baby! Not sure what age I will let him go in by himself...only time will tell.

The name Jerry Sandusky popped into my head. I won't let DS go into a bathroom alone for a very long time. I'm going to be one of those overbearing protective moms.

MrsKM82 · June 2012

I was just thinking of this. My mother has a friend who has a seven year old grandson.A few days ago the grandson and his parents were in line at a popular bookstore and he needed to go to the bathroom so they let him. Well as he was going a man crawled under the stall door and tried to rape him. Thank god someone else walked in and the man got scared and ran away. This along with the Jerry Sanduski (sp?) just makes me seriously wonder how I am ever going to let my baby boy out of my sight for a second. But at the same time I want him to be confident and strong and independent and not fearful of the world but not naive to the dangers out there. I just don't know. I feel so awful for that little boy and his family.

Mrs_Est11.11.06 · June 2012

Wow, I haven't thought this one through, but when I was expecting pregnancy brain took me into the wrong bathroom at Borders and I was so grossed out at how nasty it was, I wouldn't want to send my 5 year old into a nasty bathroom without my DH. DH said the men's rooms are always gross... sorry I am sure this doesn't make your decision any easier

Beth

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