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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
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Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
What age do you let them go to the men's room by themselves?
I think it's really easy to come up with that number when you're not there yet.
I'm looking for BTDT, not a speculation along the lines of "ds is a baby, but I would think <insert age> is good."
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Posted 7/25/11 6:21 AM  |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
I started letting Robbie go into the Men's Bathroom alone a few months ago when he turned 10. BUT ONLY in certain environments... and I stand outside the door the whole time (which he loves!LOL).
There are still certain spots where it doesn't happen - crowded venues like malls or baseball games or rest stops require that he goes in with his dad or one of his uncles. If no man is available he's going to the women's room with me. He knows the rule is - get in, use a STALL, do your business, wash your hands and get out. If he's not out fast I WILL go in for him.
Message edited 7/25/2011 6:46:17 AM.
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| Posted 7/25/11 6:45 AM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
10, right?
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| Posted 7/25/11 6:46 AM |
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Janice
Sweet Jessie Quinn
Member since 5/05 27567 total posts
Name:
Janice
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
 exactly who would were not looking for an answer from....
but I was in an Applebee's once with my youngest brother...he was 12.
He went into men's room solo...came out quiet.
Sits down and says there was a guy in there who asked me my name and what school I went to while I was peeing....
He did not answer and ran out.
Maybe it was nothing...but at 12 he knew that he was at the wrong place at the wrong time and got the hell out of there quickly.
I guess that is key.
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| Posted 7/25/11 6:47 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
Depends on the location. DS is 8, and he's gone by himself at some places, like McDonalds, Meson Ole, etc. We can keep an eye on everyone coming in and out of the bathroom (and it's usually completely empty the whole time). I would never let him go in alone at Nassau Coliseum, however.
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| Posted 7/25/11 7:53 AM |
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05mommy09
Family of 5!
Member since 5/05 15364 total posts
Name:
<3 Mommy <3
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
I have let DS (5) go into the mens room alone whenever its a single person bathroom (like 1 person at a time)....
I also let him go in at Kohls and once at Friendlys.... I literally stood right outside the door (which was open) and talked to him the entire time...
Generally though, he always goes into the ladies room with me...
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| Posted 7/25/11 7:54 AM |
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Stacey1403
Where it all began....
Member since 5/05 24065 total posts
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
I have no idea when I will. If DH isn't with me I get anxiety about the bathroom because I know D doesn't want to go into the ladies room with me and it will be an issue but my fear of something happening always overrides it!
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| Posted 7/25/11 8:16 AM |
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CunningOne
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Member since 5/05 26975 total posts
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
I'm not there yet, so I really don't know. DS is 7. He still trudges into the women's bathroom with me at the pool every day and asks why he can't use the men's room. IMO, he is still so naive. It will depend on his maturity level as he gets older. I always feel like his head is in the clouds and he needs to be more aware.
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| Posted 7/25/11 8:33 AM |
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bicosi
life is a carousel
Member since 7/07 14956 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
My son will be 7 in October and has been going by himself into the mens room at the age of around 5 1/2-6..
He will go into the ladies room with me if I have to go and wait for me, but he will not use the ladies room.. if he has to go, I will wait outside the mens for him and he will go in alone.
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| Posted 7/25/11 8:57 AM |
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
I think it would depend on your child. I remember my brothers going alone when they were 5, and they were fine.
My son is almost 5 and I can't imagine doing it for years. He's the type of kid who loves to talk to strangers though.
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| Posted 7/25/11 9:44 AM |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
Posted by nrthshgrl
10, right?
Yeah.. I realized I didn't write it at first so edited as you put this down!
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| Posted 7/25/11 10:08 AM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
Not a BTDT mom, but have nephews who are older than your DS.
I think it depends on the venue. To me, there is a difference between a restaurant, where it's one person at a time in the bathroom vs. somewhere like Target, where there are stalls and urinals.
My younger nephew just turned 11. I would say right now he is probably fine to go into a bathroom by himself, possible was good at 10, but probably not earlier than that. The other nephew was always a little more mature - he might have been ready around 8 or 9.
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| Posted 7/25/11 10:47 AM |
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PatsBrat
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 2326 total posts
Name:
Ms. Brat
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
My oldest is 7. He is only allowed to use the Men's Room alone at my brother's restaurant because it is a single occupancy bathroom and everyone there knows him and it is a comfortable environment.
Outside of that, I definitely feel he is not ready for solo public bathroom trips. I hope I will know when the time is right, otherwise his wife will be bringing him to the bathroom someday. 
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| Posted 7/25/11 11:29 AM |
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sunny
Life is good!
Member since 5/05 8369 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
Posted by Janice
exactly who would were not looking for an answer from....
but I was in an Applebee's once with my youngest brother...he was 12.
He went into men's room solo...came out quiet.
Sits down and says there was a guy in there who asked me my name and what school I went to while I was peeing....
He did not answer and ran out.
Maybe it was nothing...but at 12 he knew that he was at the wrong place at the wrong time and got the hell out of there quickly.
I guess that is key.
CREEPY! This reminds me of Jodi Picoult's "the pact".
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| Posted 7/25/11 2:57 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
DS started around 5 on occasion, but it's definitely a depends on the situation. He loathes going into the bathroom with me, but some places I couldn't let him go in alone right now.
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| Posted 7/26/11 9:41 AM |
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FranM
And so it goes....
Member since 9/05 2217 total posts
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
I let recently started letting Jack 7 1/2 go by himself in single stall situations when I am in complete site of the door. In most cases he is with me in the ladies room, which he hates but he knows there is no debate about it.
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| Posted 7/26/11 4:13 PM |
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joenick
Us
Member since 6/06 9370 total posts
Name:
Valerie...aka...Do Me A Favor?
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
Posted by sunny
Posted by Janice
exactly who would were not looking for an answer from....
but I was in an Applebee's once with my youngest brother...he was 12.
He went into men's room solo...came out quiet.
Sits down and says there was a guy in there who asked me my name and what school I went to while I was peeing....
He did not answer and ran out.
Maybe it was nothing...but at 12 he knew that he was at the wrong place at the wrong time and got the hell out of there quickly.
I guess that is key.
CREEPY! This reminds me of Jodi Picoult's "the pact".
YES!!! I just read that! Soo weird!
To answer Barb...Nick is 9.5 years old and I JUST started letting him go in alone in a few places.
I stand RIGHT outside the door and he MUST use a stall. He gets like 3 minutes tops...if longer than that, I open the door and yell for him. Too bad.
I will let Joey (6) go in only with his brother. Same rules apply. And only at small bathroom locations. No major venues.
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| Posted 7/26/11 5:59 PM |
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Elizabeth
Mom of Three
Member since 9/05 7900 total posts
Name:
"MOMMY!!!"
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
My DS is almost 9 & it depends on where we are. Target while I stand right outside, yes. Rest stop on I-95 with 30 stalls, no. I have no set rule, I try to size up each situation on a case by case basis, KWIM? Typically anywhere too crowded is a no. If DS is acting especially impulsive, no.
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| Posted 7/27/11 5:17 PM |
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Kahuna
LIF Toddler
Member since 4/10 497 total posts
Name:
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
Posted by GoldenRod
Depends on the location. DS is 8, and he's gone by himself at some places, like McDonalds, Meson Ole, etc. We can keep an eye on everyone coming in and out of the bathroom (and it's usually completely empty the whole time). I would never let him go in alone at Nassau Coliseum, however.
This pretty much sums up how we did it with my son.
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| Posted 7/28/11 8:45 PM |
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OffWithHerHead23
Keep passing the open windows
Member since 10/06 3627 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Re: Moms of older kids: Men's Bathroom question
DS is 10, and he always goes in the men's room on his own. He's super responsible, would never talk to strangers, and I stay outside and wait for him.
I would never bring him in the ladies room at this age.
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| Posted 7/28/11 10:24 PM |
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