I was wondering what age do you think
its ok to let a child use a public bathroom alone?
I saw some stuff on TV that scared me to death. One was about a grandmother who was camping and her 10 year old grandson had to use the bathroom and she waited outside the bathroom while he went in. A young guy ( in his early 20's) had gone in while her grandson was still in the bathroom. And he came out but after several more minutes her grandson did not. She yelled inside to him and he did not answer her so she went in and found him dead on the floor with his throat slit. Later that young man who she had seen go in said he had done it. No reason just to kill him. I have also seen where kids have been molested in public bathrooms. What is a parent to do? My son is 10 and sometimes we shop without dad so what is a person to do? Why does our world have to be so sick? Sorry so long!!

By Kate on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 06:41 pm:

This is a tough one. I am admittedly very over protective so I would take my son in the ladies room. Places are slowly introducing the 'family bathroom' where both sexes are allowed. That's a good idea, IMO. As for what age....I don't know. My oldest is only 7 so I can't judge the right age since right now is too young.

By Truestori on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 06:58 pm:

My daughter is 10 and isn't allowed to use the restroom by herself yet. There are many public restrooms that I am uncomfortable going in alone so I definitly won't let my children go by themself.

By Marg on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 07:13 pm:

Me and dds are all female, when 1 goes, we all go to the bathroom

By Tonya on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 07:15 pm:

I try to use family restrooms as much as possible or Timmy goes in with me. He is 5. I say it depends on the child as to what age. My niece is 10 and I make her go with me or I should say I go with her if we are out together.

By Trisa on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 07:35 pm:

Yes those family ones are nice. Our Kmart
does not have one nor the Wal Mart. I had a lady get upset with me once when I took my then 8 year old with me. People can be sooo RUDE!!

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 07:59 pm:

Our mall has family bathrooms and they're GREAT!! My kids (DS-7, DD-5)are still not allowed to use a public restroom alone. There are just too many weirdos out there.

By Annie2871 on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 10:21 pm:

My kids are 6 ds and 9 dd and they both use the bathroom by themselves. Granted, we don't go into any trashy places or dirty places for them to use the bathrooms. My dh and I have never felt like there was a problem. One or both of us is already waiting outside for them. And if we see questionable people go in the bathroom after them, we will follow.

I will admit too, I hate to be in the bathroom and see a boy over the age of 7 in there. I feel like they are at the age where they shouldn't be in a woman's bathroom, even if it was with their mother. I mean, we wouldn't let our daughters go into the bathroom with their fathers, so I think the same needs to apply to sons. JMHO

By Sue3 on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 10:56 pm:

My Ds is 6 going on 7.He still goes in the womans bathroom with me if it is a public place that is very busy,like meijer or walmart.
A womans and a mans restroom are indeeed different.
A womans have closed door stalls where a mans does not. Therefore I would not allow my DD
to go in with my Dh.
The only time I would allow Ds to go into a male bathroom is if my Ds was with someone else ,
also my Dd`s go together in the womans bathroom.
Otherwise I go with them.
Like Trisa said , our world has become very sick.
I am not taking a chance.
Also , I often see boy`s with their Mothers or Grand Mothers in a womans restrooms and
I take no offense to that.
They are just being responsible parents and or care givers.

By Bobbie on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 11:08 pm:

I think it depends on where you are, what kind of restroom it is and your own child.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 11:48 pm:

My kids are 14 and 11. I don't really remember when I started letting them go by themselves. It was a long time ago already, though.

By Lauram on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 09:45 am:

It depends where we are. If I get a creepy feeling- no way. But if it is a "safer" place I let my six year old go on his own. There are rules though. I gave him the "talk" about creepy people. I told him to scream and run out of there if he gets an "uhoh feeling." I also tell him "I'm timing you" (which I do) and if it is too long I call in there (no shame!) to see if he's ok. I started this once he turned 6 because there is a rule at the YMCA that they have to use their own locker room. I also know of different sexed parents who have been hassled by cops as well with kids over 6 in CT. I don't know if it's a law or something..... Anyhow, if it's creepy- I bring him with me anyhow.

By Truestori on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 03:19 pm:

My son will turn five in March and he still goes in to the restroom with me. If my husband is there then he takes him to the mens. I personally like the restrooms that only one person can be in at a time because you know when its empty and then each child has their privacy.

By Mommmie on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 03:28 pm:

My son is 9 and I'm single. He is too old to take into the women's restroom. I just have to stand outside the door and wait and pray and try not to let on to him that I'm nervous about it. Luckily, this is really only an issue when we are on vacation.

By Kaye on Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 03:50 pm:

My son just turned 8 and he is uncomfortable going in with me. This started this year. So I let him mostly go in alone and I wait. There are times I will say, nope you have to go with me, sorry. I really judge this based on where we are etc.

By Jennln on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 02:39 am:

My girls are easy enough - we go together;)
With Matthew it can be a little tricky. If its a bathroom with several stalls then he's going in the ladies room with me - not negotiable. If it's a private one stall type bathroom, he can go in by himself but I stand outside of the door.
Of course, when daddy is out with us, he gets bathroom duty for Matt and I get bathroom duty for the girls