My office is located just below that of a Pediatritian. Because there are moms coming in and out with their kids, I am accustomed to seeing mothers bring their sons into the bathroom with them, as they are generally too young to go unaccompanied.
Just a couple of minutes ago, I was in the ladies room, and when I opened the stall door, a young boy who was at least 10 years old went walking past me. His mother was standing by the sink waiting for him.
My question is, isn't that a bit too old for you to be bringing your son with you into the ladies room? He was clearly old enough to use the men's bathroom on his own.
2007-10-30 08:51:48 · 26 answers · asked by Rachel-Pit Police-DSMG 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
mrmanseven
Thank you for being my eyes and ears on this issue. I look forward to your breifing.
2007-10-30 09:12:17 · update #1
Generally I'd say that's pretty old, but it does depend a bit on the situation, is it a high-crime area? Or even if your area is safe possibly they lived in a high-crime area and thus were used to it.
And of course if he's sick then it's all different, who knows what he was there for. He could've had dizziness or anxiety attacks or anything like that; even adults may need someone to keep an eye on them when they're sick.
2007-10-30 19:19:34 · answer #1 · answered by Sheriam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too old!
I think the limit is pushing 6 maybe even 7. Restrooms, especially men's are dangerous these days for little children unaccompanied.
I can understand if she is a single mother, but 10 years old is way too old to be in the women's bathroom. That kid just needs to go in the men's room. And that mother needs to trust that her kid can do it. Teach her kid to scream or yell out if a stranger is doing something nasty in there. She can wait outside the door with a hammer if she has to.
2007-10-30 09:02:09 · answer #2 · answered by heeboy3 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I have noticed this trend too. Mom's are bringing kids in the bathroom who are 8, 9, and 10 years old. It is creepy. I think the cut off should be 7. Once your child turns 7 they are old enough to go to the men's room alone. If they aren't "potty trained" by that age, lets just say... Mom's got some problems.
2007-10-30 08:57:41 · answer #3 · answered by Enneirda 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Depending on what the actual circumstances were (that's usually the driving force) . My opinion is that if they're of school age, they are old enough to go to the proper day. If
mom prefers, their are unisex and family restrooms to accommodate special Need.Of note, there are several countries that don't have the hangups we Americans do -- therefore, a restroom is without gender.
2007-10-30 10:23:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it is not certain that the kid was ten years old! Some kids are big made you know! Besides the dangers of sending young boys to men's toilets alone is pretty real and should not be over looked just because the boy is not our own! Maybe there should have boys and girls toilets for the older children where parents can wait outside! Maybe we should be more understanding!!!
2007-10-30 09:45:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
I think that 1st grade boy is too young. They are way old enough to go by themself. I think the mom just needs to wait outside the restroom. Not inside the restroom. But sometimes even younger then 1st grade especially if they can go at home by themselves.
2007-10-30 12:17:39 · answer #6 · answered by jrealitytv 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some mothers are very protective about sending their children in bathrooms alone. Do you know how many kids, 10 and younger are molested, raped and killed in bathrooms? Think about it. How could a 10 yr. old defend his self against a grown man? I, myself, would have dad go with him, in the men's. Or if it were just mom there, I would stand outside the men's door, waiting and listening for my child to come out.
2007-10-30 09:06:04 · answer #7 · answered by DAWN 4 · 6⤊ 1⤋
No. Little boys have been known to walk into a men's room and are attacked even killed. The mother was within her right to protect her child.
2007-10-30 16:07:24 · answer #8 · answered by Classy Granny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too feel that 10 is old enough to use the men's room alone, but, as you said he probably just left the Dr. down stairs and possibly the Mom needed to be close by, you never know in cases like that.
2007-10-30 08:59:34 · answer #9 · answered by ishowtt4beads 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That's a tough call these days. Unfortunately there have been too many stories of kids (boys or girls) being molested, kidnapped or worse in bathrooms.
As a Mom, if I am unsure of the bathroom then I would prefer to have my son with me.
2007-10-30 09:00:58 · answer #10 · answered by Vera C 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋