How old is too old for a opposite gendered child to be in the opposite gendered bathroom?

Question

I was in a public restroom today and I saw a 10 year old boy with his mother in the women's room. I was going to say something, but I kept my mouth shut, in understanding that the child may have a problem (although I dont think that was the case). How old is too old for a boy to go into the ladies room and a girl to go into the men's room?

Answer 1

i think about three or four

Answer 2

Normally I would say about four years old. I know the mother can wait outside the door of the men's room for a young child but I see why some are uncomfortable with doing that. We need more "family" restrooms in public. I don't know what single fathers do with little girls. They can't take them into the men's room because of the urinals being out in the open. We need to wake up and get more family style restrooms in public.

I do agree with you that ten is way too old to be in the ladies' room.

Answer 3

5 or 6

Answer 4

It usually depends on the child, but normally it's 4 years old.
You can get a big hint like I did, when my son, who never wanted a closed door between him and his mother, decided to follow me once again into the bathroom, all was well until he stopped, stared and his mouth fell open. Ok I said, this is the last time you get to watch mommy tinkle! He was 2 and a half, so like I said, it depends on the child.
When it comes to another persons child, that should be left up to them. Hopefully, the ten year old was well mannered enough to not try to peak in on the adjacent stall! But I do understand why a parent or grandparent would not want a ten year old to go it alone while he waits, this world is filled with strange people who would kidnap him, and these kidnappers hang out near public bathrooms.

Answer 5

I think it depends on where you are. Some people are extremely paranoid of letting their children be alone in public places (pedophiles). I also think it's a bit trickier for girls going into the men's bathroom because of the urinals. At least, in the women's bathroom, everyone is behind a closed door. Less to have to explain! To each his own.

Personally, my boy is only three, so he still goes with me unless there is a male relative with us. I look for a "family restroom", and will in the future.

Answer 6

I think the real problem is that it is not safe for children of any age to use public restrooms anymore. Petition the place that you saw that happen in to install more "family restrooms" where mixed genders of the same family can use a bathroom at one time without being a bother to everyone else. These family restrooms are becoming more and more the norm in many places, especially crowded places like restaurants, malls and airports.

Answer 7

I agree with MrKnowItAll and Patti C. Unless there is a family bathroom why risk something happening to your child? 10 yrs old is still a little boy!

Answer 8

Below 8 is okay for boy if he is accompanied by his mother. No little girls should go into the men's room.

Answer 9

in the UK the law say 8 years old but i wont allow my 8 year old to go into a toilet with strange grown men in a place where i am not allowed to go and get him if anything happens.

that is me putting my child's safety before other people's prejudices

Answer 10

6 seems like a good age. But some mothers are prolly too protective and shelter their kids, so they hold on longer. She needs to give him his independence.

But its not your choice, its the mothers. Sure its akward, but i guess its allowed.

Also, its possible he may have had some physical or mental handicap.

Answer 11

about 6 years old. there is a rule in some places around here