When is it time to stop?

Question

When is it time to stop taking my son into the women's bathroom with me when we are in public and he has to go. He is five. I am scared of sexual predators that I heard wait in public bathrooms to prey on small children.His father has abandoned us so that's not an option, and he is an only child(no older brothers). So what should I do? Is it still ok at 5 years old?

Answer 1

It's okay to bring him into the women's room with you until you're comfortable letting him go into the men's room by himself.  By age 8 or 9 though your son might be uncomfortable going into the ladies room with you.  In that case, you should let him go into the men's room by himself and stand outside the door the entire time, and then if you think he is taking too long or you have a bad feeling, just pop open the door and ask "(son's name), is everything okay in there?".  And if you need to go in there, then go right in.

Answer 2

Take him with you until you feel he is mature enough to go in by himself. I would never judge a adult who cared for their child's safety. You will know when and five is very young still.

Answer 3

My son has only just stopped coming to the ladies with me and he has just turned 10. It was his choice to go to the gents, I wait outside for him.

Answer 4

As long as there are stalls in the bathroom, keep taking him with you!  5 is too young to be sent into a bathroom by one's self.  I have seen 8 year olds and older come in the bathroom with their mom, and to me that is okay as long as they're not peeking into stalls.  Besides, I don't know any 5 year old that washes their hands well when sent off by themselves.

Answer 5

If it's only a bathroom, he can keep going in until he's up to 8. Like the other poster said, keep an eye out for family restrooms.

What you've gotta look out for is changing rooms, like at the pool, where people are actually naked. That's where it'll cause problems. In public bathrooms, I couldn't care less if there were a full-grown man in the stall next to me so long as he wasn't trying to peek.  

Answer 6

If there is not one of the family restrooms, then I think there is nothing wrong with taking him in with you. It's not like he is going to be exposed to something in the women's restroom that is going to raise questions. I think the time to stop is when you feel comfortable allowing him to go in the restroom alone. Maybe you could find a family friend who has an older male child that might be able to go with you all a few times and have them take your son in the men's room and show him what to look for. Once he is a little older he will feel more comfortable going in alone and as long as you teach him right, he will be fine.

Answer 7

5 is not too old, I wouldn't mind seeing a 5 year old boy in the women's bathroom with his mother at all. When he's 8 or 9, he needs to use the bathroom on his own, but wait outside for him.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

I still take my 5, nearly 6, yr old with me to the ladies. My friend still takes her 8 yr old in with her. Only you can decide when when he is ready to go to the mens

Answer 10

My son will be 5 next month, and I imagine it will be a couple more years before he goes into the mens room.  He is completely and utterly freaked out by the automatic toilets, I literally have to be behind him while he goes and touch his shoulder.....then when he is done, he bolts out of the stall in fear for his life.  I have told him over and over they wont hurt him, but he wont do it on his own.  If its a normal toilet, he is ok on his own.  

Answer 11

I wouldn't send my 5 year old son off by himself just yet.  

Answer 12

5 is fine to take into the woman's room with you....I wouldn't let my son go alone until he's at least 8 or 9. (he's only 11 weeks now lol)

I adore the family bathrooms the some malls have, my son, hubby and I can all go in together.  

Answer 13

Before I had a son I used to think it was strange to see boys in the women's restroom.  My son is only 4 months old but I think I will take him to the restroom with me until he's maybe even 8 or 9.  I have seen a woman stand outside of the men's restroom and talked to her son the entire time so she could hear his voice and her son was probably 11.  I thought that was a good idea.  I'm also aware and leary of crazy predators out there and why take the chance.  Ignore the looks from women who don't get it.  And since your son is only 5, keep taking him with you.    

Answer 14

I definitely think it's still ok to bring your 5 year old boy with you into the women's bathroom. You can take him as long as you feel comfortable bringing him into the women's room. When he can tell you what to do if a stranger tries to touch him, and you think it's time then you can let him go on his own. Maybe when he gets a little older start by knocking on the men's room and asking if anyone is in there, if it's all clear let him go alone and wait outside. Then he can get the feeling of independence too. But like I said if you are uncomfortable letting him go alone (I would be too at this age) then wait til you feel the time is right. Also some places have a unisex "family" bathroom, those are alwayz good :)