Public Bathrooms and 7yr son.

[Blackbutterfly_0385]

My son is seven a young seven. Very friendly outgoing. Not shy at all, and if you ask he will tell you his whole life story if you ask him. We had a huge blow-out the other day at the mall in the bathroom. I get nervous and paranoid when were in public and I insist that he goes into the womens restroom so i can still be there.  when were in public places like Walmart and malls, movie theaters, you know were a lot of people go in and out. Sad thing to say but we live in a sick world and things have happened to boys in the past in our town in public settings. But he threw a fit and refused to use the bathroom and insisited to go to the mens room. I'm i being paranoid/

[Trialanderror]

It`s funny. I asked the same question a few months ago and got overwhelmingly unisono replies that everyone chooses safety and uses the women`s washroom where you can be present. Sometimes women complain but I learned to ignore it. And as for your son`s wish to be "a real man" - I went through that once with my son, so on another occasion, when I was sure nobody was inside of the men`s washroom, we went inside together, he saw there was not much of a difference aside from urinals - and the subject was not important to him anymore afterwards.

[Taisha]

I agree. I have an 8 year old brother (I'm 32) and when we go out, he goes into the ladies room with me and my daughter.  Even when we go into the family restrooms, everyone stands in the corner to give the others privacy.  There are a few times when he will use the mens room, but you best believe, I WILL go in there myself.  If he just takes too long, I will go in and make sure he's ok.  My thought is, even though you stand outside the door, you never know who may already be inside.  Do what you have to do to keep yours safe!

[Tonya1125]

I know how you feel. It seems like you can't trust anyone these days, But he's seven years old now and he probably feels uncomfortable using the bathroom with his mom. I babysit a seven year old who would rather go on himself rather then walk into a womens restroom. His mother has talked to him and explained the dangers of any public setting. He knows to always use a stall with a door, always keep the door locked, and scream for help if anyone would ever try to even speak to him while he was using the bathroom. When were in stores and he has to use the bathroom I send him into the mens bathroom and I always stand at the door with my foot inside the door so I can hear him and he can hear me. I make sure to ask him if everything is o.k. while he's using the bathroom. By doing it this way, he is learning to be aware of his surroundings and I can still make sure he is safe.  If anything would ever happen, you better believe I would be in that bathroom ready to knock someone out if I had to.  On the other hand, your his mother and no one knows your child better then you. If you feel he is not mature enough yet to handle that kind of situation, then stick with the ladies room plan. You have to do whatever is necessary to keep your child safe.  Good Luck:)

[momagain59]

No, you are not being paranoid. Have you shared the information with your child about what has already happened in your area in public restrooms? I hate to scare a child but sometimes they are more accepting of our ideas if they know where they are coming from. I would discuss it with him before you go out. Maybe he would rather stay with a sitter (probaly NOT), if that is an option. Do what you have to do to keep your child safe and they can just deal with it.

[jdtm]

Most large malls have "family restrooms" which would be a better choice.  They are used for instances such as the one you mentioned.

[chigirl29]

Nope.  I have a nephew that age and he goes with me when we go out. Child perverts are everywhere and public bathrooms are rife with them.