Boys and bathrooms

[DrWahoo]

I know its a little early to worry about this, my son is only 17 months, but what do you guys do when your boys have to go to public bathrooms and its only you the mom. Do you take them into the women's bathroom or let them go alone into the men's bathroom. I heard that men's bathrooms can be really creepy places for pedophiles.

Mine go into the women's room w/me, unless it's a single bathroom.

[pstone]

there must be 5 of them in every men's bathroom!
dont you take boys and girls with you (both mons and dads) until some age? 5? 4?..

That's a good question, Dr. Wahoo. Being the totally paranoid mom that I am, I've been wondering this myself. A few years back at a San Diego beach a little boy (I think he was 7 or 8) was killed inside a men's restroom while his aunt waited for him outside.

[fluffhead]

I still take my daughter (5 yo) to the mens room.
She always does a double take at the urinals. (though so does my 2.5 YO son - but I think he wants to rinse his hands in them)

[Sheherezade]

I took my boy in with me until he was around 5 or so. After that, I just size the place up. So many places have the single person bathrooms now, it isn't a problem. He just goes in by himself and I try not to hover too closely.

I still feel creepy if he goes in to those large public bathrooms - like at sports stadiums and rest stops. I try to avoid that altogether, but hover outside and glare at all the innocent men walking in and out if necessary. I'm sure he'll be scarred for life, but I don't think I'll feel totally "safe" about it until he's old enough to defend himself - like 16/17.

[Momo]

I usually ask around to see if they have a family restroom if so great...if not you better believe that my DS comes w/ me to the ladies room!

[alison]

My brother was friends with the kid of a prominent Seattle family. My mom went with the kid EVERYWHERE when he was with us. He went into the ladies room with my mom well into gradeschool. She wasn't about to have this kid kidnapped -- on her watch.

[mommax3]

I think I made the switch around 5 or 6, although if I thought the place was suspect, I would make them come in with me even after that. I am not EVEN subtle about waiting outside the men's room. I practically stand in the doorway, and if it is taking a while, I will call to them through the door, just so they (and anyone else ) know I am there.

Now, even if DH isn't with us, I can send them all in, which feels much less frightening for some reason.

Sally

[houseelf]

I'm with Sally. Our newly seven year old still goes to the bathroom with me at airports and stadiums. (Although he is small for his age and could probably pass for a five or six year old). In smaller venues, I might allow him to go into the boys bathroom. You can bet your bottom dollar that I'm not afraid to walk right in if he takes too long or I get worried. Men beware!

Swimming is a bigger issue if there is no family bathroom available. One time I made him go in the men's locker room and it wasn't worth the worry. He dawdled and I tracked down a male life guard to go check on him. We will not be doing this again. Now I make him put his trunks on under sweats in the car even if it is ten below outside. The world is too scary.

Kelly

Hmm, I have a ds the same age and I will plan on taking him in the women's bathroom with me.

[DCJenn]

Well, since Nikolai will never be potty trained, I guess I'll be hoisting his butt to the changing table in the ladies room forever. I wonder what the weight limit is on the Koala?

Jenn

[houseelf]

You crack me up, Jenn!

Kelly