OT: taking a 9yr old boy to a girls bathroom

[surfgirl]

I think the OP wanted to know if it was OK for a nine year old to use a ladies room....YES it is perfectly OK & anyone that disagrees is being totally irresponsible in their answer.

Then what is the point of this thread ? To stir the pot ? imho, I think the OP was just looking for strokes that she is a good mom and not actually interested in any dissenting opinions.

But then again, I've been wrong before....

 

[Mkrop]

As always, Michelle--I love your post! I think we, raising this generation of kids has a skewed view when it comes to responsibilities and education. It is fine to take your kids to a fancy restaurant even if they misbehave, it is fine for them to watch R movies and all kinds of crap and sexual innuendo on TV, it is fire to play violent video games, it is fine to send them off all day to be influenced by other's values, but really giving them expectations that they can live up to is practically unheard of. As far as at a concert, no I would not have my 9yo use the bathroom alone--but that is mainly because he wouldn't be there in the first place.

Im sorry I dont make the connection. My kids dont do any of these things (I long to go to a nice restuarant) yet I support a parents decision to make decision on what age is appropriate for things and to keep their child safe.

 

[NemoMOm]

Wow, Haven't read the entire thread but shocked this is so long. I have a little boy and a woman whom uses the women's room often I vote yes, it is fine for a 9 yrd old to go. Afterall, we are in closed stalls, it is not like he can see anything. And at 9 he is a prime age for safety issues. I watch 20/20 and look at look at all the missing children photos posted in stores. Have you ever noticed the age? It is not the babies that go missing. You do what you have to as a mother to keep your child safe.

You know at the baby care center at MK, the bathroom is unisex and I have had grown men peeing in the stall next to me. Notice no one has complained to Disney

 

[slo]

I have a 9yr old DD, and the thought of her going into a bathroom alone scares me I'm sure I'd feel the same way if she was a boy. I would definitly take him into the bathroom with me - without a doubt!!!! I would not feel weird if I saw him in there, he's not going to see me go to the bathroom - I go into a closed stall. Definitly take him into the bathroom!!!!

 

[Skatermom23]

As the mom to a DS16, I would never have brought him into the ladies restroom at the age of 9. First of all, he would have rather DIED than to do that! Second, I would be more worried about sending him into the bathroom at the mall or some other place that doesn't have the traffic that a concert bathroom has. With so many people going in and out of those bathrooms, it wouldn't worry me at all.

 

[louise']

I have four boys ages 7 to 9 and bathrooms are a struggle. I've done all kind of things to keep them safe and will continue to do so.

The best situation is when dad is with us. If not, every situation is different. I always look for family restrooms first. If they are not available, then it depends on the suitation. For example, if we are at Target, the boys all go in the men's room together. But not until, we check that no one is in there and they have one minute to get in and out. I am standing right at the door with one of my sons holding it slightly open. If someone comes in, I let them know my kids are in there and I am waiting for them( which is why I am practicularly in the door).

I have also taken them into womens restrooms if it feels unsafe. I try to wait until no one is in there. I then warn the people that I have boys all in one stall and sorry for the inconvenience but I don't feel safe.

I have also gone into men's room and stood inside the door. I'll warn any men that I have four little boys in here and have never been given a hard time.

I don't care what anyone thinks and neither should the op. Work around the situation and if you have to stand inside the men's room door and have him go in the first stall and wait for him. I'm sure the time will come to let go; however, 9 is too young in my opinion.

I am amazed that people think that bathrooms are safe. There are alot of sick people in this world and they know where to find children.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

Not sure if this has been posted here or not because I haven't read all the replies lately. In the Theme Park and Strategies forum there is a thread about the arrest of the Disney employee. Anyway, someone mentioned that they took their 10 year old to a boy band concert and were told by security to escort their child to the bathroom. It made me think of this thread - which has gotten very long since I first replied!

 

[meandtheguys2]

Not sure if this has been posted here or not because I haven't read all the replies lately. In the Theme Park and Strategies forum there is a thread about the arrest of the Disney employee. !

We'd probably better not go to Disney anymore. Too dangerous! If we plan our lives and the lives of our children around every possible evil that might occur, what is the point of living this life?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We'd probably better not go to Disney anymore. Too dangerous! If we plan our lives and the lives of our children around every possible evil that might occur, what is the point of living this life?

We don't have to plan for evil but we can plan to prevent it.

 

[Mkrop]

We'd probably better not go to Disney anymore. Too dangerous! If we plan our lives and the lives of our children around every possible evil that might occur, what is the point of living this life?

Oh stop! no one said to stop living life just take necessary precautions as you see fit.

I guess you dont take any safety precautions in your life or with your kids. So if I stop by I wont see your kids wearing bike helmets or if I pull up next to you in a car your kids wont be in car seats or buckled in???? Or if I see you at the mall leaving at dark, you wont have your car keys out and make yourself aware of your surroundings?????

You know when I was a kid I rode on my parents lap in the car but darn it now they make me strap my kid in a car seat. How dare they make me stop living my life becasue a greater risk is out there or they found certain safety precautions are better.

 

[3jsmommy]

Oh stop! no one said to stop living life just take necessary precautions as you see fit.

I guess you dont take any safety precautions in your life or with your kids. So if I stop by I wont see your kids wearing bike helmets or if I pull up next to you in a car your kids wont be in car seats or buckled in???? Or if I see you at the mall leaving at dark, you wont have your car keys out and make yourself aware of your surroundings?????

You know when I was a kid I rode on my parents lap in the car but darn it now they make me strap my kid in a car seat. How dare they make me stop living my life becasue a greater risk is out there or they found certain safety precautions are better.

Exactly what I was thinking!

 

[marivaid]

I personally wouldn't care if there was a 9 yo boy in the bathroom. Honestly, chances are he'd be way more embarassed than me.

Not sure I agree with the whole "I'll do what I want so that my kid & I can enjoy ourselves,and who cares who else we inconvenience" attitude though.

I avoid going to the bathrooms at concerts as much as possible, if I never have to see another bra-less middle aged lady changing out of her sweaty "Mrs Jon Bon Jovi" T-Shirt I'll die a happy woman.

Rock concerts are for older teens and adults.
JMO - I'd wait until he's old enough to hold his bladder for 3 hours.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I personally wouldn't care if there was a 9 yo boy in the bathroom. Honestly, chances are he'd be way more embarassed than me.

Not sure I agree with the whole "I'll do what I want so that my kid & I can enjoy ourselves,and who cares who else we inconvenience" attitude though.

I avoid going to the bathrooms at concerts as much as possible, if I never have to see another bra-less middle aged lady changing out of her sweaty "Mrs Jon Bon Jovi" T-Shirt I'll die a happy woman.

Rock concerts are for older teens and adults.
JMO - I'd wait until he's old enough to hold his bladder for 3 hours.

Hey now! I have been to more concerts than I can even remember and I have never seen snything like that! I was even at the Bon Jovi homecoming concert quite a few years ago. No nudity there either. I have however seen some really strange things at WDW though....

 

[Mkrop]

I am too tired from this one but someone started this topic on the CB. This is one of those never dying issues I guess. SO if anyone is interested in defeding their position over there!

 

[marivaid]

Hey now! I have been to more concerts than I can even remember and I have never seen snything like that! I was even at the Bon Jovi homecoming concert quite a few years ago. No nudity there either. I have however seen some really strange things at WDW though....

Lucky you LOL. I got treated to a "show" a few times, the latest time was at the Hard Rock Hotel in Lauderdale last summer - the same hotel where Anna Nicole Smith died, what is it with this place ????

This morning I received a Google Alert - some guy got caught in a middle of a fight at a Bon Jovi (sorry guys) concert and left quadraplegic. Apparently someone spilled a drink, a boyfriend got mad, got in a fight and ended up falling on that guy & breaking his neck.

And the Jovi concerts are MILD.

 

[ducklite]

Hey now! I have been to more concerts than I can even remember and I have never seen snything like that! I was even at the Bon Jovi homecoming concert quite a few years ago. No nudity there either. I have however seen some really strange things at WDW though....

You've been lucky. I don't have the time to list all the strange things I've seen at the probably 1500+ concerts I've attended in my life. And that doesn't include backstage happenings. Not even going there. Everybody keeps telling me I should write a book. Best line ever to describe the craziness at concerts, "This is the strangest life I've ever known."--Josey Scott.

In an earlier post I mentioned being at a Lou Gramm and Survivor concert a couple of months when a "porno-hot" 20-something came into the ladies room, leaned against the wall then did a slow slide down until she was on the floor, legs spread. In a micro-mini. Letting us all know she was sporting a Brazilian. I would expect the audience at that show to be about the same as the one the OP was discussing. I'm sure the OP's son would be more than willing to hang out in the ladies room for the entire show if he saw something like that.

Anne

 

[crazyme5kids]

Well, I've been to a few concerts in my life........ Yeah, there are a few people at any given show that do inappropriate things, but for the most part at an arena or stadium is just the average lets go see a show and have fun. I rarely see wild crazed naked people running around.

Clubs are different, but I wouldn't bring my kids to a club for a show.

As for backstage, I don't know, most of the time it's pretty tame, even downright boring. Many, many years ago, well it was a different story.

 

[ducklite]

Well, I've been to a few concerts in my life........ Yeah, there are a few people at any given show that do inappropriate things, but for the most part at an arena or stadium is just the average lets go see a show and have fun. I rarely see wild crazed naked people running around.

Clubs are different, but I wouldn't bring my kids to a club for a show.

As for backstage, I don't know, most of the time it's pretty tame, even downright boring. Many, many years ago, well it was a different story.

Actually I think that the overall craziest things I've ever seen happened at the stadiums and sheds. Then again, you put 15-80,000 people into one relatively small area at a rock concert, and by the very nature of humanity, weirdness is going to happen.

I always found the small theater and club shows to be the most controlled--the sheer ratio of security to ticket holders is higher.

Although one of the craziest things I've ever seen was the two 70 year old ladies fistfighting at Tom Jones. That show was nutz!

And backstage is definitely not what it once was. I worked for some of the biggest 80's hair bands in their day, and OMG the stories I'll take to my grave.

Anne

 

[crazyme5kids]

I agree, but it is a small percentage of the crowd. Put 18,000 people into any place you'll have some strange things going on.

The 1980's were a different time, much wilder over-all, not just backstage !

 

[ducklite]

I agree, but it is a small percentage of the crowd. Put 18,000 people into any place you'll have some strange things going on.

The 1980's were a different time, much wilder over-all, not just backstage !

Like at Def Leppard shows? The real action was UNDER the stage.

Anne