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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think a seven-year-old going alone to restaurant toilets is unsafe?

154 replies

MountainBiker · 07/08/2026 19:47

Central London chain restaurant. Small 7 year old on the next table (definitely 7, she had a badge and a birthday balloon tied to the back of her chair) went off to the toilet on her own.
Toilets were out of sight, downstairs, in a corridor of floor to ceiling unisex cubicles.
Am I a helicopter parent or do most people think this is unsafe?
YABU: kids should be able to cope with this by age 7
YANBU: more supervision is required

OP posts:
ShanghaiDiva · 07/08/2026 19:51

I would have taken my Dd at that age as she would have been worried about finding her way back and also locking the door.

Mt563 · 07/08/2026 19:51

I probably wouldn't let them but if they're familiar with the restaurant and there's only the one way in/out, I could see someone making a different assessment.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 07/08/2026 19:49

I’d have gone with mine at that age, she’d have been worried about getting locked in the cubicle. Can’t say I’d have judged someone else for making a different choice though.

Edit to add the lock on the cubicle isn’t the only reason I wouldn’t have done this 🤦‍♀️ the safety issue is the reason, I meant she wouldn’t have gone on her own even if I was ok with it.

ThisPoisedGoldGuide · 07/08/2026 19:49

No, I wouldn't let my kids do this (aged 8 and 6, girl and boy).

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