I have a son and a daughter (She is five and he is three), and my husband and I sometimes have one or the other. The kids are at the age where we do not feel comfortable having them go in and out of restrooms alone, but my husband sometimes gets stares going into the men's rooms with my daughter. Maybe this is no big deal, but what is the correct protocol? Is he supposed to go into the girl's room with HER, and what age does is become "not allowed" by public standards?
2007-01-31 13:27:25 · 10 answers · asked by RunsWithKnife 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
The rec centers i go to have signs on the door saying 7 and younger may come into the bathroom with parents of the opposite sex...I have girls so it is not a problems, they go with me...but my husband has taken them in with him from time to time. I would NEVER let my child go alone until they were a bit older...8 maybe, even then I am not so sure...too many cases of kids abused in bathrooms, even if u are standing outside the door. What is more important, your child's safety or the approval of some stranger??
2007-02-06 16:05:19 · answer #1 · answered by snarf 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I agree with erben. What if you have to use the restroom, and your child doesnt? Do you leave them standing in the store or resturaunt alone and unsupervised? I would rather know that my child was safe, then worry about some thick headed people who probably dont have kids of their own looking at me funny in a restroom. And yes, that happens, no matter the age of a child, My son is 2 and I am a single mother, and I get funny looks from people when I take him in a public restroom with me.
The only true answer to this question, is this....when you feel that your child is mature enough to handle going into a public restroom then, give it a test run. A friend of mine, had her son sing the alphabet song out loud, so that she could hear him outside the restroom. That way, she knew he was ok.
2007-01-31 18:19:19 · answer #2 · answered by onearkansasmommy 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's a shame that your husband is getting stares, but I think that you guys are right in what you are doing. I think that taking her into the men's room is probably the best choice but your husband should check to make sure it is a men's room WITH doors and no open urinals. Pretty soon, with her, he might want to try waiting outside the restroom - but only in areas you feel safe doing so. I say that a few stares is worth your child's safety.
2007-01-31 14:05:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Im thinking age 5, for mom and son is easier but for dad and daughter I can imagine its harder but just cover your daughter's eyes and go, i would rather do that than letting my daughter go in anywhere alone before age 5. Also, a lot of places now have family restrooms those work great too.
2007-01-31 14:12:50 · answer #4 · answered by mari 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
My son is 7 and I just stopped bringing him in with me because i just started becoming comfortable letting him go into a busy mens stall alone but if he takes to long in there I don't hesitate to peek my head in and ask how hes doing I could care less what other people think theres alot of weirdos out there harming children better be safe then sorry.
2007-02-07 14:49:26 · answer #5 · answered by LuvnLife 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I kept my son with me until he was 5, just starting school, then I sat outside the restroom until he came out. I made sure he knew exactly what he was to do by himself, go to the bathroom, wash his hands, then come back outside to meet with me. I tried this the first few times with a male friend of mine in tow.....just in case he got distracted and stayed in there awhile. After the first few times, he got it down and I haven't had any problems since. Also, if your husband sends your daughter in and she takes awhile coming out, he can open the door a crack and call to her, or if there's a female employee of the store nearby, ask them if they wouldn't mind making sure his daughter was moving right along and there were no problems. I used to work at wal-mart and went in several times after little girls who had gotten side tracked by the new automatic faucets...lol.
2007-01-31 14:08:40 · answer #6 · answered by mercymarie3 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
About five I would let them go in the restroom alone but stand outside the door so if it seems to be taking too long you can crack the door and ask your child if everything is ok.
2007-01-31 14:03:06 · answer #7 · answered by J&A 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm thinking 4 years old.... maybe 5 if its a boy......
A girl?? maybe 2 or 3 years max..... you see over 3 years old the girl could get tramatized to what she sees in a mans restroom... its not pretty, even for me! (I'm a guy) lol
have him try to wait till the restroom is as empty as possible, then leave quickly!
2007-01-31 14:03:09 · answer #8 · answered by tapc101 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
My husband will not take our daughter (age 4) into the mens room ever. He feels it is innapropriate at any age. When she needs to use the bathroom she has to hold it until he finds a single room restroom that they can both go into. When he needs to go to the bathroom and she is along, he holds it until they get home!
2007-02-07 10:35:31 · answer #9 · answered by anne p 3 · 1⤊ 5⤋
my son is 8 and i still take him to the ladies restrooms i don't care if people stare to many children get sexually abused in public toilets and I'm not gonna risk it....and to all the people reading this NO i don't share a cubicle with him.
why would someone give me a thumbs down for being a cautious mother?
2007-01-31 14:18:29 · answer #10 · answered by sexymumma 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋