Just got grief for bringing 5 yo DS into the women's locker room

[Anonymous]

If you're going to bring your kid into a changing room (especially if it's the opposite gender), you have to have complete control over him or her. The behavior you might think is "cute" may not be to the adults in the changing room, who have just as much of a right to be there as you. Also, adults are self-conscious as well. It might not be that the adult thinks your kid is ogling them, it might be that the adult is self-conscious about how they look. I've seen children blurt out really inappropriate, hurtful things about people right in front of them. "(Pointing) What's that?" "He/She is scary looking/ugly/old/fat/etc." Out of the mouth of babes, right? So be cognizant of that. Be quick. Change your child away from other naked people and make sure they focus on themselves or you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're going to bring your kid into a changing room (especially if it's the opposite gender), you have to have complete control over him or her. The behavior you might think is "cute" may not be to the adults in the changing room, who have just as much of a right to be there as you. Also, adults are self-conscious as well. It might not be that the adult thinks your kid is ogling them, it might be that the adult is self-conscious about how they look. I've seen children blurt out really inappropriate, hurtful things about people right in front of them. "(Pointing) What's that?" "He/She is scary looking/ugly/old/fat/etc." Out of the mouth of babes, right? So be cognizant of that. Be quick. Change your child away from other naked people and make sure they focus on themselves or you.

This is good advice. I've honestly never run into this problem though. The changing room is never packed when I'm there - we can easily find an empty row. When I was a kid, our pool had stalls w/ curtains to change in (inside the locker room) for people
Who wanted them. Wish more places would do that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don't use just change him by the side of the pool or in the hallway then?

Because they don't want to inconvenience themselves. They would far rather do things their way even if it means violating a rule and causing others discomfort and upset. I have no problem with you not sending your child in the men's room. If he is over the posted age, however, then bring him home wet, change him with a towel around him, get a speedo coat, meant to provide warmth when cold and in a wet suit, etc.

My 6 yr old would be mortified to have to have his swimsuit taken off by the side of the pool, AND that is actually against the rules at our pool.