Public Restroom quandry?

Question

I'm a father of a 1yr old boy and a 3yr old girl. Where should I take them to the bathroom if no family restroom is available. The girl is potty trained I need to take her to a toilet. Men's or Women's?

Many times, public men's rooms don't have changing tables so I end up changing the boy in the trunk of my car. If I'm with my wife, she's stuck taking the girl to the bathroom and changing the boy. Good for me, bad for the wife (which makes it bad for me )

Answer 1

Go to the mens room. Asking a ton of ladies to stop using their bathroom so you can will only get people annoyed. Just peek in the mens room first and perhaps make a small annoucement before you enter to make sure all the 'goods' are hidden.
Men finishing up their peeing will be met with a better response then asking a bunch of women to hurry and other to hold it in.
Soon she will be able to use the bathroom alone, but three is a little young to ask a kid to negotiate waiting and finding a stall alone, not to mention im sure she cant reach the sink herslef to wash her hands.

Answer 2

There are some restrooms that are for one individual to use rather than the kind with a bunch of stalls. Try to figure out what places have the single kind (smaller restaurants often have these single restrooms). You could let your daughter to go in. Tell her not to lock the door (so she won't get stuck in there), and you stand outside and guard the door.

Keep a fold-up changing pad in your car for the baby. Very often if a baby is changed immediately before heading out it wouldn't be necessary to change him all that soon. You could do your shopping or errands and change him in the car after (or between a couple of errands if its really necessary). I wouldn't put a baby on any of those public diaper-changing tables anyway.

It isn't a big deal to take a little girl to the restroom. IYour wife should grow up on that issue).

Final note: Don't ever go into the women's room. There's never an excuse for that one. If at all possible, don't bring your little girl into the men's room either. If you really have to try to use an empty one.

With all due respect, people handle these little "quandries" all the time with a little creativity. Its part of having children. Having children makes many things just a little more inconvenient but people manage. I got through the years of having mixed-gendered children too young to go in alone by seeking out all the single restrooms and making it a point to go to those. Besides, you can open the door, see all four walls and see that no freaks are in there behind a stall, and be sure your child won't become a victim - which children do when they go to restrooms alone.

Answer 3

I definately agree with the comment of sending a little "shout out" in the ladies room, maybe a knock or two, to see if anyone is in there. Also, leave the door cracked, stand there if you have too, so that others entering will know of your situation. You'd be surprised how many women would be accomodating to your situation. There is nothing sexier then a great dad, doing what he can for his children, even so far as having a comfortable and safe place for body habits. You'd get the awe factor in anyone, haha.

I've been in mens restrooms, (don't ask) and it wasn't clean, and the graffitti alone, (which was humerous to me, but I would never want to expose my child too) is enough for me to encourage you to head to the ladies facilities.

Also keep in mind, this is generally a three minute process, so if the bathroom is crowded, perhaps you can ask someone in line if they would be willing to watch out for your child, momentarily. Stand outside of the door to ensure safety of course. You might need to pack some sanitizing waterless soap or wipes for the hands, to speed up the process of getting out of the bathroom.

Also explain the circumstances to your child at home, and how to handle a potty crisis, well before dining out or shopping out, that way they know what to expect. I don't know of anyone who still screams or shrieks from having a man inside a bathroom, as we all have stalls anyway, lol. Even a simple misread signs can lead to that, (like those darn Mexican restaurants, which don't use signs, or Seafood restaurants that do the ole' Boeys and Gills).

Good luck!

Answer 4

man, I can relate. I have a two year old girl who we have the same issue with. the fact is, men treat bathrooms like a public dump. I worked at a retail store inside walmart years ago, I seen millions of men pass the sink and not was their hands. I would avoid letting any of my kids sit on a toilet if possible, but we know it isn't. I'd continue to allow your girl to go to the bathroom with the wife, womens restrooms are much cleaner. If you have to take your girl to the mens restroom, don't worry, its o.k. to do. just make sure you put down tons of toilet paper becuase men are filthy pigs. also, all walmarts in the U.S. are required to have changing tables, you may think of doing more shopping there.

Answer 5

I say take them to the mens room because you can go with them. I wouldn't send my 3 year old to a public restroom alone. That is not safe with all of the kidnappings and molestations and even murders happening in public restrooms to children. If your wife has a problem taking both to the restroom, let her take the girl and you take the boy, you can sit in a stall and change him in your lap. Mothers do it all the time. There is a solution for this but you have to be willing to do things outside the norm. Take care and I do commend you for even taking them to the restroom. Most dads aren't that involved. (smile)

Answer 6

I find that men's bathrooms tend to be very dirty compared to women's. I wouldn't want my husband changing our son in there anyway. What I would do is, I would knock on the door and see if there are any women in there. Then I would go inside with the daughter and help her out. It shouldn't matter if a woman sees you in there, it's not like we use urinals. I wouldn't risk bringing a 3 yr. old into a men's room with guys standing by open urinals.

Answer 7

I'd say take the little girl to the mens room with you. My husband says men don't like to use pulbic reatroom stalls anyway. Carry a small pack of wet wipes to wipe the seat and definatly teach both about good handwashing. As for the baby changing station-keep making comments to management of places you frequent. If the place isn't busy I'm sure the ladies wouldn't mind you using their bathroom if you explain.

Good luck and props for worrying about such things!

Answer 8

That's a tough one. Most women that I know would be okay with you using their restroom because no women should be nude outside of a private stall. Because of urinals, the same can't be said for the men's rest room.

My wife says to use the women's restroom...however my inclination is that opposite gender adults should never be in each other's presence, therefore you should go to the men's restroom.

Tough question.

Answer 9

3 yr old girl in the ladies room she's big enough to go in by herself while u wait outside. Just tell her to pick a clean one and slide the lock and wipe the toilet with a little toilet paper before use. She will feel like a big girl in the end!

Answer 10

take the girl to the mens room and put lots of toilet paper on the seat all the way around or hold her over the seat