When at the mall, should families have to use the family bathroom?

Question

Here is the scenario. We are at the mall with 3-month-old baby and 2.5 year old daughter. We are shopping and the baby makes a stinky poop, so we head to the nearest bathroom, which is just a normal bathroom with 2 regular stalls and a handicap stall with a baby changer inside. I get the 2.5 year old on the potty, then get the baby out of the stroller and change her. When baby is changed and the 2.5 year old is done, I also use the restroom. I admit this does take around 10 minutes. When the three of us get out of the stall, this elderly woman with a cane (who could have gotten into a normal stall just fine) rudely tells me there is a family bathroom at the mall.

So my question is, is it wrong of me to take the kids into a normal handicap stall with a diaper changer instead of hauling them clear across the mall so I don’t inconvenience anyone? Why would the diaper changer be in the stall if it wasn’t for moms to use?

Not sure if any of you negative people have kids, but it takes a couple minutes to wipe down a changing table and unpack all your supplies from a diaper bag while holding your poopy infant in hand, then clean up after yourself. It is not like we took our time or played games in the bathroom.

If I posted a question about what you would you think of a mom who raced across the mall with a screaming poopy infant in her arms and a 2.5 year old in tow who wants to stop every 3 feet to look at things in stead of using the closer bathroom, you would probably say 'why didn't you change the baby in a closer bathroom?'

Answer 1

If there is a diaper-changing station provided in the "handicap" stall, then this is also intended to be a "family" restroom. There is no need for you to seek out a restroom further from you, as you no doubt no, with a 2.5-year-old in tow whose bound to be distracted by a dozen things along the way and for whom potty-training is a fairly new concept, this can be a great difficulty. It was definitely rude of the other woman who came into the restroom to imply you had done anything wrong.

For those who have mentioned that people with disabilities might find themselves in embarassing or painful situations because the stall is in use, the same could be said if the stall were in use by someone else with a disability which caused them to take longer than usual in the stall.

If this is a frequent problem for anyone, the true fault lies with the business, and not with the patrons who are using the stall for its intended purposes.

Answer 2

If the baby changer is in the handicap stall then you have every right to use that stall. Usually the baby changer is in the waiting area for the bathroom but if it's in the stall you use the stall it's in. Don't worry about people making comments you were in the right place so them saying something shouldn't bother you.

Answer 3

If it takes 10 minutes for everything to get done in a handicap stall, then yes, you should be using the family restroom. Some disabilities aren't readily visible, but still require a handicap stall. Your situation is the exact reason the family restrooms are available. If the handicap stall is occupied for 10 minutes, you can cause a person who truly needs it more than an inconvenience. You can cause pain or a humiliating accident. Trust me...I'm in the situation. I'm young and have a disability that cannot be seen and have been in the situation more than once where someone has their children in the handicap stall, leaving me stranded with a near emergency.

Answer 4

Usually people with babies, toddlers, and young ones, go to the bigger stall instead of a regular sized one. Also, because it is convenient when there's a changing table in it. I take my toddler there with me in the handicap/bigger stall, as well because it has more room for both of us and we don't have to squeeze into the regular stall. This is perfectly acceptable if you have young children with you.
The elderly woman was probably cranky and could have wait her turn like everyone else. She could have been more polite. If she couldn't wait, she could have used the family restroom, if she needed more room or just went into the regular stall. She is oblivious as to what the bigger stall is used for besides the handicap. Some people do not have common sense.

Answer 5

Maybe she thought you weren't aware of the family bathroom and maybe thought it would be easier for you guys to use that one? I'm sure she could have said it in a nicer way though. I don't think you were wrong to use the handicap stall...that way you can use the bathroom without worrying about your older child wandering around or anything happening to your baby in the stroller.

Answer 6

You did nothing wrong. The woman was incredibly rude. We all have to wait our turn in public bathrooms and that includes the handicap. If they didn't want you to use the handicap there wouldn't be a baby changer in it. It's your choice which bathroom you use and whichever is available when you need it. You're the one with two little ones in tow, not the lady with the cane. Don't let rude people make you think you're the one in the wrong.

Answer 7

Thats right, if you see a diaper changer by all means use it. Talk to mall security about this & you were not in the wrong.

Answer 8

I mean if it was an emergency by all means use the closet restroom, but if you have an epiphany, and would like to experience being courteous, then don't hold up a regular restroom, I mean wouldn't you not want the convenience and privacy of using the family restroom ??

Answer 9

People have their nerve!
Tell her there is a nursing home down the street!

I'm usually very polite and considerate...HOWEVER when people feel the need to tell me how to live my everyday life I will tell them how I feel as well.

You were doing nothing WRONG. There is no need for her to advise you of her personal opinion in regards to which restroom you should use!

Answer 10

I see the situation, but you should have used the family room.