When Is a Boy Too Old to Go into the Ladies' Room?

That's a hard question! I would have to say 13!

You know I think about that everytime I take my 7yr old to bathroom with me. But I would rather be safe then sorry. But for my it's different I will let him go to the restroom with my standing right out the door vut my problem is usually what do I do when I have three children and have to take them with me to the bathroom? I usually leave them right out my stall and I have got looks like "you are a bad mother for leaving with your children out". What able suppose to do take them in with me. Then when they see my 7yr old with me in the bathroom I still get looks. Basically I have come to the fact that I can't go to the restroom in public and will leave some place to go to the restroom at home, family member or friends house. Hey I have even stop by the church's rector b/c I had to go so bad. They were very nice. It's very hard when you have a baby too so I know what you are going thru. But I do let my son go by himself now but I stand outside and have even gone in to check on him. You should ask him if his okay going in the restroom by himself and have your husband do a test run. When we all have to go I will go in the handicap stall b/c it's bigger. Also keep the hand santilizer those mens room are so gross.

hope this helps
L.
Does that help.

Maybe when he starts noticing or mentioning things about the ladies room. I too do not like the idea of my soon to be five year old going into the mens room alone. I think maybe dad should start taking him to the Mens unless you are by yourself then the ladies room

My 5 year old daughter goes into the ladies room alone when she is with my husband without a problem. If you are concerned maybe you can let him go into the men's room alone and stand just outside the door just in case. If the concern is that you have to go the restroom, then it is fine to take him with you to keep an eye on him, but soon he will probably start to feel weird about it and will let you know.

I think you should wait till he's 9 or 10 years. At that age if any thnig happens he would be able to tell you. He would have the comfort of you standing right out side. Just be understaning if he wants to do it sooner. Now a days its like they grow faster.

I think the appropriate age would be when you feel he is old enough to go on his own. I would think as long as your waiting outside the bathroom 10 or 11 would be an okay age to let him go in mens. I think any boys under the age of 12 is fine ot be in the womens bathroom with their mother.

That's a tough one! I have a 5 year old and I usually take him in the womens restroom with me but I have recently started letting him go into the mens room. After about 30 seconds I begin to panic and start calling his name and I have even sent workers from the store in after him. (not really 30 seconds but you catch my drift) As mothers I guess we just worry about what could happen to them. Eventually they have to go in there alone, I just tell my son if anything happens to scream and I will run in and get him. I think 6 is an ok age for him to go with you but he's getting to the age where he really needs to go in the mens room. Hope this helps a little. Take care. J. Long

Hi there Adla! My son is 9. We recently were at a rest. and he went to the men's bathroom by himself for the 1st time because he felt ready. I told him I'd be outside the whole time and we had talked about it it before if anyone even made him feel uncomfortable to come out quick and if anyone touched him to yell and I'd be in there fast. In bathrooms where it's too loud or busy I still make him go with me. I think you stil have time. You and you're son should feel comfortable with the decision. There are some not so good people out there now. Good Luck.

Hi there Adla,

My gosh you are definetly correct,Unfortunately it is very unsafe now a days. I think that it is up to you if you feel safe enough for your son to go alone. Personally I think 10 yrs old is an appropriate age. I myself have two boys ages 3 and 4 and you bet they will be with me in the rest rooms until (of course they go with my husband when he is with us) I feel it is safe enough and I will be right outside the door.

I may sound over protected but you know, I just moved here from California a few years ago and there was little boy there about the age if 10 who went into a restroom and was assaulted and stabbed by a homeless man. His parents werent near the restroom so noone heard him.

Not to scare you because that doesnt happen all the time, but unfortunatley you have your occassional crazies out there and they prey on kids because kids are innocent and defenseless. So like I said keeping your son in the rest room with you especially at his age now is the safest thing to do.

Good Luck, J.