No flames - great questions.
I have 2 DDs and 2 DSs (twins). If both parents were present, we took the
kids to their respective appropriate restroom (it was great - by the time
the boys had to use the restroom, the girls could take themselves, so I
didn't eat any more cold meals!), but this was not always possible so...
The DDs started using the ladies room all the time once they were out of
diapers and pretty self-sufficient in the restroom. I think they were 4ish.
If my DH was the only parent around, he stood outside the ladies room to
listen and, if absolutely necessary, help. After all, mens restrooms are not
nearly as private as ladies restrooms.
The DSs did basically the same thing - once they were out of diapers and
very self-sufficient, although they were a bit older than the girls before I
allowed them to go in by themselves. I think they were 5 or so. I would
stand outside the door and listen. It was helpful that there were 2 of
them - the watched out for each other. DS#1 could stay in a restroom
forever - he would sit and sing. I had to go in after him several times, or
open the door and yell for him to hurry up. Because of his disabilities, he
went to the ladies room with me until he was older if his brother wasn't
with me.
To answer your questions specifically:
1) How do you feel about a father accompanying his very young daughter
into
the women's restroom to use the facilities? Would you feel threatened or
offended, or would you understand the situation?
I would not be happy to have a man in the ladies room (unless, of course, he
had to rush in and rescue a girl-child in distress - there are always
exceptions). I think that the mens room should be fairly clean and if it's
not, the management should be notified and the business boycotted if
necessary. It's a public health issue!
2) If you, or your family has experienced this problem with
dads/daughters,
how did you address it?
Answered above
3) Not important, but I am starting to get "looks" at having my little
boys
in the facilities with me. Do any of you take offense at boy children, say
under 10, in the woman's restroom with their mothers?
IMHO this is important. I think it's time to start teaching your boys how
to use the mens room - especially when there's 2 of them to watch out for
each other. I don't think they are too old yet, but they soon will be.
You might have to rush into the mens room to retrieve a child, but I did it
and lived to tell about it. They need to learn how to handle this, so when
they say "Mom, I'm too old to go to the ladies room!", they are ready for
the transition.
--
Teresa in Colorado
The Presser Foot
Sewing Machine Sales, Service, Supplies, and More
www.thepresserfoot.com
--
"TwinMom" wrote in message
...
OK, so to make this a bit OT, I was away this weekend at a quilting
retreat
(Had a GREAT TIME btw!) and the following item came up between DH & I. We
have a 3yo DD and twin 7yo DS and our DD had to use the public restroom at
McD's. DH took her into the men's room, which I found really gross, not
only
because the men's rooms are, generally, filthy, but I don't want her
exposed
(no pun intended) to strangers using the facilities. I felt he should be
taking her into the women's rooms, whenever a single use or family
restroom
is not available. She is not old enough to go unattended and, after all, I
take the boys, now 7, into the women's with me. A lengthy discussion has
ensued, so I'm seeking the opinions of follow females, as many as
possible,
on the following issues:
1) How do you feel about a father accompanying his very young daughter
into
the women's restroom to use the facilities? Would you feel threatened or
offended, or would you understand the situation?
2) If you, or your family has experienced this problem with
dads/daughters,
how did you address it?
3) Not important, but I am starting to get "looks" at having my little
boys
in the facilities with me. Do any of you take offense at boy children, say
under 10, in the woman's restroom with their mothers?
No flames please, I'm just trying to get a cross section of opinions from
various ages, w/ and w/o children, etc.
TIA
Lorraine in Los Alamos