When should children start using public toilets on their own?

bestpud

My son was about 8 but I used to stand in the doorway and wouldn't hesitate to go in looking for him if I couldn't get an answer when calling.

I only had to go looking twice and both times, I gave a warning for any men who may have been in there.

The one time he'd locked himself in the cubicle and couldn't get the door open - he was crying and saying 'please someone help!' when I got there, bless him.

The other time he'd decided he needed a number two and was just taking longer.

My nephew is 10 and he went into the mens while we were away recently, and I did the same with him - stood right in the doorway. I don't know if my sister does that or not but he didn't protest so I think she might.

I've just read that and should add I mean the outside door of the toilets, not a cubicle door!!

Katie-Kat-Kins

I think using the disabled or the baby changing sounds like a good compromise! Lets the child feel like a grown up going in alone but you don't have to worry about strangers.

It is great that there are more options like family rooms now. I can remember it being an issue when I was little, I mean a mum can take a primary school aged child into the ladies without too much bother but what if as a man you are out along with a little girl??

I can remember once being taken into the cubicle in the gents and being carried in and out with my eyes closed! Funnily enough I can't remember what used to happen normally if I went out with my dad or uncle, and I used to quite a lot when I was too small to have gone in alone..........

Gingham_Ribbon

When they're old enough to reach the taps by themselves.

galvanizersbaby

sparkle03 wrote: »

My son is 6 going on 26 :rotfl: He is also quite insistent that he can go to the 'boys'! I dont agree though and unless OH is with me obviously then he comes into the ladies with me! Unlucky mate

Yes same with my 6 year old DS (well guess he is nearly 7) - I do try and find a family room toilet if I am on my own with them so we can all go in as I have a 5 year old DD too.

I have on occasion let DS wait outside the door of the ladies if it is one of those with an extra internal door (dependent on where we are)

patchwork_cat

I agree with the 7-9 age range and also agree about standing outside the main door. I have never had to go in though.

The_Next_Verse

I'm a non parent, but definitely agree with the consensus of 7-9 age range. I would be concerned I think if I saw a little girl of 5 in the ladies on her own!

~The Next Verse

Becles

I think it was around 7-8ish with my boys. There's two years between them, so they would go in a cubicle together.

BeenieCat

My son is 6 and i let him go alone if the place is familiar and not too busy. I wait right outside though and wouldn't hesitate to go and get him if he took ages/didn't answer my calls. He uses the cubicles.

If it's busy/unfamiliar/minging/dodgy i always take him in with me.

galvanizersbaby

The_Next_Verse wrote: »

I'm a non parent, but definitely agree with the consensus of 7-9 age range. I would be concerned I think if I saw a little girl of 5 in the ladies on her own!

~The Next Verse

You'd be right to be concerned if it was my 5 year old DD
She would be busy blocking the sinks and dispensing all the hand soap to make a 'potion' - you should see what sort of pickle my bathroom at home ends up in after she's visited!:rotfl:

sarymclary

I'm a mum of 4 boys, and I have always insisted that if they are alone, then up to age 9/10 they come in with me, especially if it's a shopping centre, or busy supermarket. My youngest is 9, and he still has to come into the ladies with me (separate cubicle, of course) unless one of his older brothers is with us, then he is accompanied by them, and if they go in two's, then they have to wait for one another unti they come back out, not just wander off and leave each other.

I was a bit more carefree about it years ago, until I read about a girl of 11 being raped in a Sainsburys supermarket by another teenage boy. Article here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/jul/22/ukcrime.jeevanvasagar

I know you can't make sweeping generalisations, but if it can happen once, then... well, it's not happening to my child if I can help it. I also taught them from infant school age about stranger danger, and that there were some very odd people who hung around toilets, who might want to do them harm. A little bit of worry in their minds just might help make them more aware of keeping themselves safe.

I was also one of the kids who, given half a chance in a toilet, would dispense tonnnes of soap, play with the water, and block the loo with too much paper. Just because I liked playing, not to intentionally be naughty. My youngest used to like putting a whole toilet roll in the loo, just to see it 'inflate', as it absorbed all the water!