When should children start using public toilets on their own?

mummy_Jay

Thank you everyone for your responses.

You have reaffirmed my feeling he was way too young and that I'm not being an overprotective parent.

Becles

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

With baby in a sling?

That may work. I've never used a baby sling so I've no idea how safe they are.

Oldernotwiser

Becles wrote: »

That may work. I've never used a baby sling so I've no idea how safe they are.

Many people use them all the time and many cultures use nothing else!

LISSILEIGH

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

And are either you or your children actually disabled?

I'm appalled at the number of people on here who think it's ok to use disabled toilets with their children; are you all parked outside in disabled bays as well?

actually where i live all the disabled people think its ok to park in mother and baby spaces, even if there is disabled ones free!!! so should i now go on a witch hunt of them????

i have 2 disabled daughters, and would not get upset about a mother with afew children using the disabled toilet if it meant that there children where safe!

andrealm

In some places (such as our local Asda) the disabled toilet doubles up as a baby changing room. Slings aren't always practical, I've got 2 young children and don't drive. I wouldn't want to have to sling them both 3 miles into town and back while carrying a changing bag and my shopping.

andrealm

I don't think you can compare this to parking in disabled spaces, as I said I don't drive but I would never park in a disabled spot if I did and OH doesn't use them.

I would only use a disabled toilet if I was on my own with the kids and there was no other realistic option.

PolishBigSpender

jenhug wrote: »

mine are 10 and 8, and I still go in with them, there was a case a couple of years ago where a little boy was molested in a fast food chains toilet, after going in unaccompanied. (This was local to me)

What happens if they are on a school trip or out with their friends and you are not there?

mrscb

Teachers go with them on school trips and I wouldnt let my kids go somewhere at that age without a responsible adult..

PolishBigSpender

mrscb wrote: »

Teachers go with them on school trips and I wouldnt let my kids go somewhere at that age without a responsible adult..

And you believe that teachers will escort 8-9 year old children into the toilet?

barnaby-bear

mummy_Jay wrote: »

I know this sounds a silly question but when do you let your children use busy public toilets without accompanying them?

My DS has just turned 5 and has just start insisting when we are out that he needs to go in the boys toilets not the girls toilets with me. I can cope with this in small quite places but when its a busy shopping center toilet, it worries me he's a bit little to be that independant or maybe I'm just being a bit over protective.

I'd really appreciate some opinions from the other parent out there.

Shopping centre toilets are the few free ones here. The homeless use them a lot so many have blue lights to make finding veins harder and they have holes in the walls with needle bins because the needle problem was so great. To be honest most public toilets (I imagine ladies better) can be pretty hit and miss and I wouldn't let a 5 year old judge what's safe to use.