how old is too old to accompany........?

Question

I was shopping today and a women brought her (what looked to be a 13 year old son) into the ladies restroom with her. They went into the stall together. I think that he is old enought to wait outside of the bathroom for her. It did not LOOK like he was handicapped so even if you were paranoid of him getting kidnapped dont you think that is way too old to accompany a parent into the opposite sex restroom.
There was a 13 year old girl in to bathroom and I thought her eyes were going top pop out of her head.
What do you think?

Answer 1

I think at about 7 or 8 they can wait outside. maybe he was mentally handicapped? I don't know. that is pretty freaky though

Answer 2

Om, Yes, 5 or 6 tops any older then that should be going to the men's room alone and she can wait outside and vice versa. It happens at the gym too so they posted a sign that no kids of the opposite sex over 5 can be in the locker rooms.

I wonder why anyone would anyway and why would an establishment have to post a sign about it. Where is the common sence of decency?

Certainly there are exceptions: down syndrome, retardation, handicap, etc. and anyone would understand that, but a normal kid over 5 should go into their own bathroom!

Answer 3

It's hard to say. I think 13 is old enough. He may be mentally slow rather than handicapped in a visually way. Also society isn't very safe anymore. I would not let a child under 12 go into a restroom alone. I have heard of too many things happening even in a few minutes. (and that damage can never be undone.) A lot of places now have family restrooms so maybe someone could point that out to people. 13 years old in the women's room seems too old but I guess she may have her reasons.

I was questioned for bringing a 9 year old into the ladies room. (not in my stall...thats a little too close) But it was a busy amusement park and there was no way I was going to send him into the men's room alone. I let her know if there was a family room I would be happy to use it but I was not going to take chances with the well being of a young child to please her. (I would not allow him to share a stall with anyone)

Answer 4

Question: When will my son be old enough to use the men's room by himself?

Answer: Developmentally, I think most kids are ready when they're between 6 and 8 years old. But safety-wise, that's a tough question. Basically, it depends on whether you're in a crowded public arena like Yankee stadium or a more controlled environment like a restaurant. Most children can handle using the restroom alone at a typical restaurant once they're about 6. But it would make me nervous to send my 6-year-old into a restroom alone in a large public area like a stadium or movie theater. It may seem inappropriate to bring a boy that age into the ladies' room with you, but it will give you peace of mind knowing he's safe.

In any situation when your son is using the restroom on his own, but especially if he's in a crowded place, take some basic safety precautions: Avoid restrooms that have more than one entrance. Stand outside the door while he's inside and don't get distracted. If he's not out in a reasonable amount of time, ask someone — preferably a security guard — to go in and check for him.

The best thing you can do is to prepare your son (or daughter, for that matter) for using the restroom on his own. Make it clear that he shouldn't accept any stranger's offer to "help" and that he shouldn't talk to anyone. Tell him to choose a stall close to the door and let him know that if he needs you, you'll be right outside and he can just call out for you.

Answer 5

Generally, I would say that 13 is too old to go into the bathroom with your mother/female guardian. Although, there may be some extenuating circumstances like the location or the social maturity of the child. Also, the child may look 13, but actually be 7 or 8 years old.

Answer 6

Too much depends on the individuals involved. What if the boy was just an older looking 8 year old? What if the boy had a history of wandering off? What if ....... well you get it.

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Age to stop? As soon as the mother thinks its okay. I would hope that by the age of 13 a child can be trusted to wait outside for their mother.

Answer 7

I think you're right. He was way too old to be in the ladies room. By about 7 years or so.

Answer 8

13 is WAY too old in my opinion. A woman bringing a 13 old in almost sounds suspicious, in some perverted way.

Answer 9

Certainly younger than 13! That's into puberty for heavens sake.

Answer 10

If a child is too old to wear diapers, he is too old to be in the wrong restroom.