I feel like you do what you have to do, and if your 8 year old isn’t responsible enough to go to the bathroom alone, you take them to the women’s bathroom.

However, I really think boys over the age of 5 or so should not go into Women’s locker rooms. My daughter became really self conscious changing in front of a boy her age in the locker room at the pool once, and I thought it was crazy that mommy brought him in there (he, and my DD, were about 5).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some 9 yo girls already have their periods. They shouldn’t have to worry about running into a boy from school in a public bathroom.

How is this relevant? Everything happens IN the stall, with the exception of hand washing. I guess I don't get what the big deal is.

To answer OPs question, my sons would have rather peed their pants then come in the bathroom with be after 6 or so. I have two, so I send them in there together with a warning that they have 2 minutes (no fooling around, basically).

PS - when they were younger, it was a judgment call. Somewhere with a ton of people (especially dads and their kids) going in and out, no problem. I've also noticed that for newer buildings with a lot of foot traffic, there are no outer doors to the restrooms anyway so I was fine with those, too.

Anonymous wrote:Some 9 yo girls already have their periods. They shouldn’t have to worry about running into a boy from school in a public bathroom.

How is this relevant? Everything happens IN the stall, with the exception of hand washing. I guess I don't get what the big deal is.

To answer OPs question, my sons would have rather peed their pants then come in the bathroom with be after 6 or so. I have two, so I send them in there together with a warning that they have 2 minutes (no fooling around, basically).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By the way, it's not just children that get murdered in bathrooms.
Adults have also been murdered in public restrooms. You can't have every adult male going into women's rooms with their mommies for the rest of their lives.

There have also been little girls who were sent in to restaurant bathrooms alone who were assaulted. Just stay with your kids, people.

Until your "kid" is 80? I was just reading an article about a man who was 57 and murdered in a public restroom a couple years ago.

That is sad, but not a reason to send your 6 yr old in to an adult bathroom on their own.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By the way, it's not just children that get murdered in bathrooms.
Adults have also been murdered in public restrooms. You can't have every adult male going into women's rooms with their mommies for the rest of their lives.

There have also been little girls who were sent in to restaurant bathrooms alone who were assaulted. Just stay with your kids, people.

Until your "kid" is 80? I was just reading an article about a man who was 57 and murdered in a public restroom a couple years ago.

My boys would have held it until their bladder exploded rather than go into a women’s bathroom at age 8+

I take my 8 year old with me. I dare anyone to say anything to me about it lol

This whole thing is why I am glad that there are non gendered bathrooms in a lot of places now.

I live in California and there is a law about non gendered bathrooms so everywhere has them now.

Funny how better design to help one group of people has helped so many more people. Moms/grandmas with boys can use them, dads/grandpas with girls can use them, and no women or girls need to be uncomfortable with boys in the ladies room and no dads or boys need to be uncomfortable with girls in the mens room.

I don't think the legislators had this in mind when they made the law but it is actually been very helpful to many people.

Anonymous wrote:The really obnoxious people are the ones who have their cell phones on speaker when they are in public bathrooms.

The worst!!!

Anonymous wrote:I'm kind of shocked some of you are saying its fine to bring a 7/8 year old boy into the women's room. I would give you the side eye if I saw this too. Unclench and let your son use the men's room or if you really can't handle it find a family restroom.

It's ok if you are shocked. Those of us who have done it really don't care about your side eyes.

I'm kind of shocked some of you are saying its fine to bring a 7/8 year old boy into the women's room. I would give you the side eye if I saw this too. Unclench and let your son use the men's room or if you really can't handle it find a family restroom.

The really obnoxious people are the ones who have their cell phones on speaker when they are in public bathrooms.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe there are people who take non-disabled 8 year old boys into women’s bathrooms.

I can't believe the people who care.

It’s infantilizing, not age appropriate, and unfair to elementary age girls.

OP, as you can see, you should do what you need to do with your child. You do not need to worry about the few crazies who may say something.

There is a huge difference between a 4 year old and a 9 year old.

Not when you are thinking about who can be over powered by an adult and assaulted.

Anonymous wrote:By the way, it's not just children that get murdered in bathrooms.
Adults have also been murdered in public restrooms. You can't have every adult male going into women's rooms with their mommies for the rest of their lives.

There have also been little girls who were sent in to restaurant bathrooms alone who were assaulted. Just stay with your kids, people.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe there are people who take non-disabled 8 year old boys into women’s bathrooms.

I can't believe the people who care.

It’s infantilizing, not age appropriate, and unfair to elementary age girls.

OP, as you can see, you should do what you need to do with your child. You do not need to worry about the few crazies who may say something.

There is a huge difference between a 4 year old and a 9 year old.