Different gender in the restrooms

[Tylersmom]

How do you handle taking your different gender child in the restroom with you?

Ty is now 7 and a tall 7 at that. I feel awkward with some of the stares I get. But I have to help him with his pullup and things.

[glad2beadam's mom!]

Why do I never think ahead about these things? Adam is 5 and it's never crossed my mind that one day this could be an issue...gee!!

[PaulaScott]

How do you handle taking your different gender child in the restroom with you?

Ty is now 7 and a tall 7 at that. I feel awkward with some of the stares I get. But I have to help him with his pullup and things.

I have a typical 7 yo boy and he still has to come in the ladies room with me when Dad isn't with us. I'm just not comfortable with his going into a men's room alone.

To be honest, I'm not sure when I will be comfortable with it. But I admit to being overprotective.

[wheeliebird]

I had a friend once who picked me up somewhere (it was a public building). She had 2 kids with her, 3 and 7 years old. I needed to use the restroom and thought, whats she going to do with these kids while she helps me. She stuck them in the stall next to ours and we continuiosly talked to them while she helped me, pretty smart I thought! :) This is why shes a mom and I'm not!! LOL :p

[leaflet]

We just returned from a trip, and I took my 8 year old into a few bathrooms with me. Usually, we were in there by ourselves... but one time a lady did make a comment. I politley told her that his dad was busy and asked her if she would let her child go into a restroom at a truck stop on the side of the highway, in a strange area alone...... she smiled and looked at my son. probably not she said.;) I think you have to do what you have to do .... who cares what people say!!
~K~

[Lynda]

Let em stare and say what they want......at least our kids are safe!

[Kamie]

as long as the child is not doing anything illegal or causing any problems in the bathroom, do not worry. :)

[cckids]

My personal thought... My son (9) will actually tell someone, would you rather my mom take my brother in the mens room. I can't let Zach go in a public restroom himself; he came out one day with the deoderizer from the urinal in his hand. Another time, an old man creeped out my oldest, so in public places he'll normally go in the ladies room with me. That's what stalls are for.

[just laurie]

I think boys in the women's room are easier than girls in the men's room. At least there are stall doors in the women's room! Can you imagine being a dad and having to take your dd into a men's room with open urinals?:eek

As awkward as you may feel, you are not doing anything inappropriate. As others have said, I wouldn't let my NT child of that age alone in a public restroom either. If people don't understand, that is really their problem.

I do very well with the, "It's not like I'm ever going to see these people again," theory:).

Laurie

[just laurie]

I can't let Zach go in a public restroom himself; he came out one day with the deoderizer from the urinal in his hand.


Eww! Eww! Eww!

I can't think of a sanitizer strong enough--yet safe for skin--which would make me think my child was clean again after that!

Laurie

[Charliesmum]

I had this recently..was in Oxford and Charlie needed a wee, so I popped into the Ladies with him. I parked his w/c outside and walked in with him. Two old ladies were there and looked askance at him. (He's very tall for 9 and looks even older) I didn't comment but led him into the loo, waiting outside but talking him thro 'pull your pants up nect..good boy' etc.
Charlie was gabbling on as usual and I could sense that the Ladies had realised he wasn't quite a typical kid..
as he came out one said 'it must be so difficult dear , I have an autistic grandson and my daughter doesn't dare let him go alone either.'

Didn't need to say a word then..:)

We had a recent case of a girl going into e supermarket toliets and being raped by a man. After that, who cares what people think.. I'm going to keep Charlie with me forever if necessary for his safety!
Juliex

[JoD]

Many establishments are now including family restrooms along with the woman/men ones. The family restroom is a large bathroom, with a door that locks. It solves the issue of different sexes, handicapped needing more room than an handicapped stall etc.
Joanne

[Bec]

My 9 yo still goes into the ladies room with me when I am alone. I don't get comments very often but when I do, I say, "safety first. Keep your stall door closed and so will he."