I'm a single mom, we're always out but i think he's not ready to go to the gents rest room all alone ! He can use it,but i think its unsafe!! Can someone please give me some advice on how to deal with the situation and how do i explain to him this is the little girls room,but he has to be with mummy until he gets a little older...OR should i just ask a guy to bring him to the gents bathroom????YEAH i know that part is crazy!!!! but let me know...thanks in advance peeps!!!
2006-11-25 15:30:11 · 48 answers · asked by goodnessmeimfine 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Oh definitely. You do not want to send him into the men`s room alone. In fact I take mine 6 and 8 into the ladies room, and they have been taught to stand by the door, and I escort them to the stall one at a time. The women who are in there understand. It is far too dangerous to send a young child in alone into the men`s room. If the men`s room is empty, I stand by the door and wait. That way the person who enters knows I have seen him. And I call out to the oldest, are you ready yet? You are being a responsible mom to be concerned about this.
2006-11-25 15:33:08 · answer #1 · answered by Sparkles 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
My son is almost four too and if I am alone I take him into the ladies room. Never let a stranger take him into the bathroom...that is just as unsafe as letting him go alone.
If the bathroom is one where there is only one person allowed at a time...let him go in there by himself to the mens restroom while you wait outside the door....that will give him practice and show him the difference between the two different rooms
2006-11-25 15:44:36 · answer #2 · answered by tab 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I still think 4 is a little young to let him go into the bathroom alone... mine is almost 8, and I just started letting her go in (as I wait directly outside the door). She is instructed that if anyone approaches her or tries to touch her that she is to scream her head off. Sorry, but you just can't trust anyone anymore... it's sad. People used to look out for children, but there just aren't that many people who are willing to do that anymore. Most people either don't want to get involved, or they think that parents should be watching their own children. If you are concerned about what other women think about you taking your son into the bathroom, have him cover his eyes until you get inside a stall. At this age, most women tend to understand that the reason he is in there is because he is too young. At least half the women you encounter in the bathroom are moms, so they will understand the need to have your young son in there with you. Until he's around 8, I'd have him go with you into the women's... when you think he's ready to handle it, stand outside the men's room (who cares what the guys think) and wait an appropriate amount of time. If he seems to be taking too long, open the door and call in to your son to make sure he's ok. If you are really concerned, or think you hear something questionable, yell out "excuse me" and go on in after your son. His safety is the first concern- the men in there will get over it. Bottom line, you do what is safest for your son, regardless of other's opinions.
2006-11-26 12:02:28 · answer #3 · answered by dolphin mama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do whatever you want. Don't feel bad or weird. Keep taking him to the ladies room until he feels comfortable enough to go it alone in the gents! School time you will need to teach him to enter a boys room, and when that time comes, march right into a mens room with him. :) I'm sure the fellas wont mind.
Most people should be more than understanding.
Good luck with this!
Hope I've helped!!
2006-11-25 15:33:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a 3 year old and I worried there for a little while about the same thing but I let my son go to the restroom with me because I fell he's not ready to go by himself yet so I let him in the stall to do what he has to and then he waits on me, I let him know about the mens room and he understands, plus there is to many strange people in this world today.
2006-11-28 02:41:15 · answer #5 · answered by poohbear 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When it is the two of you, handle it as you have been.
When you are with family members or friends and one of the gentlemen is going to the restroom, ask if the youngster can go with him.
This will enable him to see what is done in the mens room and he will soon realize the difference.
Totally understand your concern about allowing him to enter alone too early - sometimes it is simply unsafe when you have no access.
As he becomes more of a young man, most likely will express the need and ability to enter the restroom himself where you can be waiting nearby.
However, in the meantime be sure he is considerate of the activity in the ladies room - so as not to embarrass either of you!
2006-11-25 15:38:47 · answer #6 · answered by Marsha 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, considering you can't just let him go potty in public in the middle of the floor, your only other option is to bring him with you if you don't trust leaving him alone. I'd be a bit nervous letting my son who is that young go alone with all child predators lurking so you use your best judgement. And until he starts really asking questions about the female sex and the organs then I think it's OK. Just keep him in line...don't let him peep under doors, etc. And if anyone says anything you can always get a sad look on your face and say, "This is my daughter!" to embarass that person. No really, just ignore them if you can. People like that are immature.
2006-11-25 15:37:21 · answer #7 · answered by Hootie562 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Take him in the ladies room with you. Alot of malls now have family rooms you can use too. Your boy is only 4..he is not mature enough to understand what to do if someone in the man's washroom did something!..and asking a stranger to take him would be the same thing. Don't worry about him being in the ladies room with you..most of the females in there would of likely done the same..or have done the same. I took my boys in with me all the time..just told them to go to the next bathroom beside me..and i talked to them the whole time thru. I didn't give a rats *** if someone was bothered..this was my son..and I will make sure he is safe at all times~!
2006-11-25 18:52:27 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A 4 year old should never be sent alone into a mens room and if sent with a man be sure it isn't a stranger to you. My daughter doesn't even allow her 7 year old alone in the mens room. You don't know what kind of perverts are hanging out in there waiting for a child to come in alone. A lot of damage can be done to a small child in a very few minutes even if you are standing right outside the door.
2006-11-25 15:37:34 · answer #9 · answered by Country girl 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I only let my son go into a restroom alone when it's a single person room. It never made me uncomfortable to see a young boy in the bathroom, even before I had children.
It's scary- you never know who is going to be in the restroom with your little boy. I don't recommend asking someone to take him. If anything I would say if you send him in and he doesn't come out right away crack the door and talk to him- make sure he's ok.
2006-11-25 15:36:04 · answer #10 · answered by iampatsajak 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋