This can also go for dad/daughter taking into the guy restroom even tho that is much less common then moms doing this with their sons.
My oldest son is 8 and I still take him in the ladies restroom with me. I think it's too risky where I live to allow him to go by himself into the guys restroom. But I'm not sure what age I'll start allowing it maybe around 10ish or whenever he has a phone and can call if something goes wrong.
I think 8 is a tad too old. You've gotta cut the umbilical at some point and let him experience life. That said, I hover outside the women's restroom so that I can hear if my daughter yells but she's given the illusion that she's on her own and that she needs to handle her business. In an emergency I'm going in and women by and large don't throw a fit the two times this has happened. Teaches independence and she's had some pretty awesome experiences with her fellow ladies in there lol. Several times she's asked women to help her with the soap dispenser/paper towels/etc because she was too short so she's learning how to ask for help from others. Had another instance where she couldn't get her shorts buttoned while in the stall (they were brand new and the button hadn't worn in yet) and she didn't want to walk out to me to button it and a very kind lady helped her out and she was so grateful to her, hugs and all.
Same thing happens in the men's room for me. I can't count how many times I've helped little boys clean themselves up because they couldn't get their pants undone in time. Besides, if your boy has an emergency and you're waiting just outside go in. I'm not going to throw a fit that you ignored social norms when it's your baby having an emergency. Not that difficult to put myself in order so that you can assist him.
I'd never want some creepy helping my kids
Nah its not even the creep thing but here in my area it's common for kids to get kidnapped at the store literally standing next to their parents and they get snatched. Also lots of drug activity. Wouldn't want to send my kid in the bathroom and he walk up on a drug deal and get shot. These are for real things that can and do happen so it's better to have my kids close in public
I don't have any problem with it being any age. There's plenty of reasons why you might do it- sketchy location or sketchy people around and don't want to send them in the mens room alone? Needs assistance with something? The men's room is just far too disgusting? Bring him in no matter what age he is. With stalls its not like anything is out in the open anyways.
I'm a proponent of gender neutral restrooms becoming more of the norm for many reasons beyond those above. The school district here in all of their new buildings is only doing gender neutral restrooms- stalls have floor to ceiling doors, and the sinks are in an area open to the hallway, and I think that's a great idea.
Personally I think it’s up to the kid to choose. If he’s 8 and says mom I want to go to the boys bathroom, let him. If you want to be extra precocious I would teach him to use the toilets not the urinals.
But if what your worried about is sexual assault I don’t think a phone will help much. I’ve gotten sexually assaulted twice, once when I was 9 once when I was 17.
It wouldn’t have made a difference if I’d had a phone. When I was 9 I didn’t say no because I didn’t want to embarrass my assaulter. And when I was 17 I didn’t because I froze.
I think the best thing you could do if that’s your concern is teach him it’s okay to say no even if it’s going to hurt someone’s feelings. You can start asking him, “can I hug you?” Just to teach him that he’s body is his own and no one should touch it if he doesn’t want them to.
The Health Clubs in my area that haven't taken the Governors edicts seriously to let grown men into the girls locker room have a sign saying no opposite gender over 6 years old allowed, so I guess that is the age rule of thumb for here.
I have yet to see any signs like that
... lol
No, that is not the sign they put up. That is just an image that I found to add humor to my post, sorry
Opinion
71Opinion
Not everyone continues taking their son to the women's room until the tween years, in fact, many Circles of Moms members admit that their sons' embarrassment, as well as disapproving comments and looks from other female restrooms users, led them to stop the practice around age 7 or 8.
https://www.popsugar.com/family/When-Stop-Taking-Your-Son-Women-Bathroom-27331276
I would go in with my little brother even if it was a bathroom where multiple people shared up until he was 12 just to risky for a little kid by himself. He's 14 now I don't go with him anymore. I think you're at 8 having his mother go in with him might be embarrassing but it's better to be safe than sorry.
I realized that some of that didn't make sense, but you know what I meant lol
Your fine it made sense lol
When they start to recognize the difference between man and a women. Usually around 7ish but every kid is a little different. For my daughter or son both around 8 I stand out side the bathroom and wait for them. They know what to do if someone touches or bothers them. I will hear the screams of either of my kids.
u I think age 7 should be the max, but many establishmnts now have "family" restrooms that could be used at a later age. By age 9, most boys don't want mom looking at their "willies," and most girls don't want dad seeing their "kitty."
In most cases I think up to 8-10 is ok. I'd make exceptions for mothers who have boys with Down's Syndrome or are low-functioning autistic, I've had a mother bring one in his teens into the ladies room. It didn't bother me. It depends on the environment I guess, and what you're comfortable with. It's not like he's going to really see anything.
10 seems a bit high. What age does your elementary school let them leave the classroom for that reason unassisted? Teachers see kids at least as much as parents do during the work week, and probably know them well enough to advise on that.
That depends on the school but with my kids school the classrooms have bathrooms in them. The kids are in "neighborhoods" so 4 classes and in the middle is the kitchen/snack area/restrooms and a big group area for group activities for the 4 classes to come together. The kids are not allowed out of that besides for lunch. It's a extremely secure school. Kids do not wander hallways like we did as kids
It’s a different era. That is an interesting organizational model though, what is the name or the plan or model they are using?
I’d say maybe 9 or 10 is about the limit of propriety.
Also, when you get him a phone at 10… make sure it doesn’t have access to the internet!
My kids already have the internet on their ipads lol
Oh well too late to but THAT Jeanie back in thee bottle?
Womens stalls are all private so I don’t think it matters much but I’d feel comfortable doing it when they are old enough to go by themselves. Mens restrooms have those open urinals so I would t feel comfortable having a daughter go in there.
If I had a daughter and my husband took her to the men's bathroom it wouldn't bother me since I'd know she'd be fine with him
many public locations around me have started adding a family restroom. so parents can bring their children into those as an option. it also doubles as an extra disable persons bathroom because it has more room for wheelchairs and etc.
but I would say once they start to become curious in the other gender and/or around the time they start puberty maybe.
After 6 it starts looking weird, particularly if the kid is tall.
If they are old enough to be in a classroom, they should be able to go potty by themselves. After all, it's embarrassing and fruitless for them to need 'teachers' help so they should start developing some basic life skills.
My kids don't have a issue at school but they have bathrooms in the classroom. I'm more talking in public which is totally different having adult men whipping their dicks out around my kids. If it's at school then it's only other kids their own age so not creepy
You are right to worry! So feel free to take your son into the women's restroom till he is at least 21! However, tell him to stop looking under the partitions! He could bother many of the women. So I suggest that you take him into the men's room.
My boys have never bother any women in the female restroom
Whenever your son says he doesn't want to go in there with you anymore, but definitely before middle school in my opinion. No one's saying just let him go alone, but at least stay outside the restroom for him.
not sure there should be a definite age. just whenever you can see he can clearly use it by himself without any issues whatsoever. could be 8, 10... maybe before 13 at least.
Well he's been able to use the bathroom without issues since 3 lol
Let him go by himself in the men's room when you are comfortable with him knowing what's right and wrong. That's usually around 7-8yo. Feel free to stand guard just outside the door, just in case, if it makes you feel better.
I would probably stop until they're at least maybe 9 or 10 years old. But I'll be outside waiting for him to come out
Probably age 8 but it’s not like they’re gonna ask for his ID, so you may be able to push that to 11
Haha well they done ID anyone for the restroom
Yeah, I have an 8 year old too but, yeah, it’s too young to send them into a restroom by themselves. I think as long as they are just minding their own business (not peeking under stalls 🤣), it should be fine
My boys never have peaked under a stall or anything. They use the bathroom as fast as possible and want to leave
For both once their a big kid.. So about 7 or 8 for both boys and girls.. I remember when my mother used to take me and my brother to the ladies room til we were like that age..
Your son is old enough now to take care of his business on his own. However you should stand right out the door waiting for him when he needs to go
Also have a conversation with him about not talking to any strangers and to immediately yell if someone does something wrong (touches him inappropriately).
At no age, thanks to gender identity, I enter the women's bathroom at my university.
Very true
We started letting them go in the proper bathroom at 6, but in highly crowded areas (stadiums etc), we are flexible
Parks, recreation centers, a small restaurant-these are comfort zones. We often go together because they realize they must pee when mommy or daddy must go.
I mean I think I was around 8 or 9 but honestly I think I had asked my mom to stop… so I don’t know. Lol!
I'm inclined to say between 7-10, but really, it should be whenever the boy feels comfortable using the men's room by himself.
I like the idea of it being around the same time you give them a phone.
Unless it's like a single occupancy bathroom, in which case 7 or up is probably okay.
When He’s big enough to use the toilet, let Him use the bloke’s loo by Himself. By then, He should be old enough to be responsible to use the toilet. If He’s really short due to dwarfism, like Kevin ‘Freak’ Avery, I got nothing. I think I could go by myself at age five, and I was definitely not a tall kid. It must’ve been totally embarrassing to go to the ladies toilet while a bloke.
This is one of those what if situtations I never had to deal with. The policy at the gym at my college was 7 years old for the opposite gender locker room. Now what if he was paralyzed or had cerablel pausly and wheelchair bound I am not sure. Nudity and bodily function around the opposite gender is a debate able topic. Just because he is in a wheelchair and 20 I don’t know if she will have a problem undressing infront of him
Your choice. Raise your own kid. You know what you're doing better than these net weirdos.
Around 10 years old but also depends on his maturity. Don't leave your son around strange grown men that can easily manhandled him in a public bathroom.
When you feel comfortable, family restrooms are great
Yes but unfortunately those aren't everywhere or they are always taken
True, many older places do not have them, should be a must in all new public buildings
The age doesn't matter if they medically cannot go by themself. You should also think of your child's safety.
Probably 6 or 7 , I was already in elementary school going into the boys room , I don’t remember my mom taking into the womens room before that
I think 8 is WAY too old. Maybe half that age would be OK.
If you are concerned, just wait right outside the door until he comes out.
It is not to old. I also have a 5 year old too that I bring in the bathroom with me. I'd never allow him to go by himself either
It’s really an age you feel safe leaving them alone for a few min. 7-8 is a decent age for them to be able to tell strangers to leave them alone and smart enough to come get you if needed.
Yeah... maybe it's time to start waiting for him outside the mens toilets. He can always shout you, can't he?
Eh that still seems too risky. Plus if I need to take his younger siblings obviously I'd be in the other restroom. Wouldn't be able to hear him
Around 6 I would say. But there are always various other factors to take into account
No earlier than 9-10…. Unless his dad is with him
but other than that just take him in with u
Pretty old — when he’s old enough to be safe by himself. It depends on the situation. In a public restroom with multiple men inside nothing will happen.
Your statement "too risky where I live" Is the key here! Until you feel he is "safe" is my opinion!
I'd never feel safe here. Moving soon but just to another not so good area lol
More and more places are going to single use or family bathroom which I think is the best solution for everyone! One family can use it or a mom can send a child alone (after checking its empty of course)
Those are nice but are rarely ever at the places I go out to
when your child is able to wipe their ass on their own, that's the time when they should go into a public restroom alone. it is still ok to wait in front of the door, just to make sure no funny business with strangers is happening.
Probably 6 or 7 depending on the circumstances / location.
When I went to the gym their rule was that kids should use their own gender changing room from 7 or 8 (can't recall exactly), but I'd say around that age group, depending on child's maturity
5 if she's divorced and no male husband or friend) around but 4 if there is a male (husband or friend) around.
8 is when I started to become sexually aware, that's about the time you want to stop. In the US, family restrooms are now quite common to avoid those kinds of questions.
As soon as they start staring, the jig is up. If they never do, who gives a whoop?
I do not understand restroom freedom paranoia at all.
yes around 8 but it depends on the child and maturity
Only as soon as is safely practical depending on the unique situation
I'd say 12. When he's big enough to go by himself without being scared by people there.
i carried a pocket knife when i was 8 so he’s prob around the age where he can go by himself
My mother stopped doing it before kindergarten. That seems right.
Lets say in my view about 12 to 14 the puberty stages because hormones goes very crazy.
Teach him a martial art. Once you've determined he can sufficiently defemd himself (or at least punch a dude in the balls and run), let him pee freely.
Yeah like that gonna stop him from being snatched by some creep
I can't wait for him since I'd have to take his younger siblings in the other bathroom
And it won't. There are creeps in this world that prob get off to kids fighting them and kicking them in the balls
Good question. I think by age 6 they should be able to wipe themselves so you can wait next to the stall.
No need to stop. In today’s politically correct world. A “man?” can say that he feels like a woman at any age and use the woman’s facilities!
You should stop when he starts getting curious of the woman’s anatomy. Before puberty, no later than 10 yo. I started being attracted to girls at age 7.
He's already attracted to girls. He's had gfs
Well I’d probably not let him in woman bathroom since he has the capacity to date he should have the capacity to use a public restroom. Just stand outside the bathroom. If it takes longer than 3 min start calling for him or walk inside. If it’s at a theme park or place he can easily get lost keep him with you until he’s old enough to follow instructions to stay still or meet at a specific place if he gets lost.
Nah I don't think attraction is a issue with this
You could always just say your son identifies as a girl and bring him into girls restroom. That is working out really well these days and should solve your problems.
When he's old enough to pee or shit on his own and know how to clean up after himself.
About 2 years ago sweetie. But you gotta do what's safe. It's not worth the risk of your child being exposed to perverts.
I'm not even worried about that. Where I live is ghetto. He might get shot going in there
When he turns 18, c’mon mom, let the boy have some fun. 🤣
Mum can you take me please? 😂😈
I'll take you if you need to go 😂
Lol for sure I'd help with your zipper
Not sure.. you can follow him to the area. Maybe 11
i mean you’ll have to yes if there isn’t anyone to take him to men’s
At the very beginning, as soon as she could, as fast as possible
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