Swimming pool changing room

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, at 3.5 it is acceptable to bring him into the women's room. When my kids were little, our local pool (YMCA on the west coast) had a policy that beginning at age 4, opposite sex children could not go into the locker rooms. I thought that was extreme, especially considering this was in an area near a large military base and it was during the Iraq war, so lots of moms with little boys and no Dads around.

I do think, that if your husband (or other male relative) is around, he should take your son to the men's locker room. It does annoy me when I see a mom bringing her 12 year old son in the women's room and Dad is waiting outside.

A 12-year-yesr old boy should never be allowed in a women's changing room, including special needs. Bring DH or change in car I would report to manager immediately! No males over age 6 in women's changing rooms!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is 8 too old to go into woman room?

Yes. No exceptions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bought cotton terry swim robes at costco. Took the kids to the pool in their swim suits and they put the swim robe on after swimming and we drove home. The changing rooms are for convenience but you don't have to use them.

This is sensible.

[Anonymous]

My son is almost 5. His best friend is a girl and they take swim lessons together once a week. They change together in the women’s locker room because he needs my help. The rule at our pool is that children over 5 go to the appropriate locker room for their gender. When he turns 5 this summer, I will change him in the family changing room until he can handle being in the men’s locker room alone.

[Anonymous]

Take him in the ladies room with you. Our pol has a sign that says over 5 goes in same sex. Our gym has a sign that says over 6.

[Anonymous]

It’s fine. Teach him about privacy and not staring or commenting!

[Anonymous]

One of my children has special needs, and is really tall for his age. If there is no designated family room, and I'm without DH, I will bring him in with me. He cannot be by himself. He's 9, nobody has ever said anything to me. Our pediatrician has stated many times that even at 10 they are not allowed to go to the restroom alone. Why would I send a 4 year old alone to a changing room? IME nobody cares. A 3 year old should already know about body parts.

[Anonymous]

I am an older woman and have never given a second thought to a young boy in a changing room or public bathroom with me.

You do what is safest for the child.

And have none of you young women ever learned how to take off a bathing suit modestly? There is no reason to be stark naked in the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of my children has special needs, and is really tall for his age. If there is no designated family room, and I'm without DH, I will bring him in with me. He cannot be by himself. He's 9, nobody has ever said anything to me. Our pediatrician has stated many times that even at 10 they are not allowed to go to the restroom alone. Why would I send a 4 year old alone to a changing room? IME nobody cares. A 3 year old should already know about body parts.

Who is “they” who are not allowed at 10?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an older woman and have never given a second thought to a young boy in a changing room or public bathroom with me.

You do what is safest for the child.

And have none of you young women ever learned how to take off a bathing suit modestly? There is no reason to be stark naked in the process.

I’m an old woman and nope, I can’t take off my swimsuit modestly.

[Anonymous]

You keep your child safe. Period.
Too many perverts out there.

[Anonymous]

My DC public pool’s policy is 6+ must go to the gender appropriate changing room. Not sure if that’s a DC wide policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an older woman and have never given a second thought to a young boy in a changing room or public bathroom with me.

You do what is safest for the child.

And have none of you young women ever learned how to take off a bathing suit modestly? There is no reason to be stark naked in the process.

I’m an old woman and nope, I can’t take off my swimsuit modestly.

You move quickly with everything at hand. A towel around your neck when you lower or remove your top - then snap on the bra and shirt. Move the towel to your waist, wrap it around yourself, and step into your underwear. Drop the towel and continue to get dressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:when you introduce body private parts to young child, how you call them? How do you introduce them, through picture book, or what? And how do you call them, penis, vulva & boobs? Or weewee something?

Why would you use accurate terms like penis and vulva, and then say “boobs” instead of breasts? Be consistent.

This, I just bluntly tell them. Why do you need a book?

If I don't use a book, how do I tell them what breasts & vulva are? Point at my body parts with clothing on? Don't tell me that I need to take off clothing fully naked in front of him to show them???

I am surprised your kid has never asked questions. I only have girls and they learned the word for vulva just like they learned other body parts. They saw their cousins or other boys getting changed when they were young and asked what that was, and I told them some people have vulvas and some people have penises. They also come into the bathroom when we are in public so they have seen me change my tampon and know about that.

Anyway if your kid doesn’t ask questions then I recommend “it’s not the stork.” It’s very age appropriate and straightforward.

[Anonymous]

This is why we need to advocate for family locker rooms. LOTS of folks who can use them. People with disabilities who would like assistance and a larger space to change in privacy. Families with opposite sex kids/parents. All kinds of folks who, for whatever reason, would like a little bit of extra privacy.