Taking my boy in the ladies toilet...

[40andfucked]

So we were in a busy sports pub full of very happy (several drunk) people after a great win. My son needed the loo so I took him to the ladies with me. I was told by a very stroppy barmaid who happened to be in there that she wanted him out.
I said I didn't feel comfortable him going to the men's, she said well he's not coming in here. I said I don't want him in the men's alone. She said 'well go in there with him then'! So u did!
He's 10. Normally I'd send him in the men's, but not in a pub full of drunk strangers. I know some may think I've very over protective, but it really wouldn't have hurt her to just let him go for a quick were!!

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Your happy for him to be in a pub full of drunk folk but not to share a loo with them?

This^

Did you have your eyes on him at all times while he was in the park? Or is it only while peeing you feet the need for such close supervision that you went into the gents with him?

And this^

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

YNBU. I don't know why people are freaking out about a 10 year old child using the ladies toliets. I'm sorry but I really don't see the issue.
And that , but He's been in a pub all day with strangers, argument, won't wash either. Yes he has, but. He's not been alone with them.
Oh yes chances are. He would have been fine, but. It's not a chance I'd take. Any pervert could have been in there ready to pounce.
I watched this programme years ago. I think it was called Leeza and the episode. Was called something like should they be doing that.
There was a tragic story about a Nan who took her DGS to the park, abd. I think he was about 9 or 10. He went to the toliets whilest his nan was outside. Obviously thinking he was safe. He was stabbed in the toliets. I'm can't actually recall if it were fatal or not.
You really cannot be too careful.

[GandolfBold]

I take DS (9) into the disabled toilets with me as he cant go into the gents by himself.

I do it for him rather than for anyone else. I often think if he was an NT 9 year old he wouldn't want to be coming with me into the ladies.

[Bumpmadethemjump]

P.s, I don't care if a 10yr old boy is in the ladies toilets but teenage girls a few years older than your ds who have started their periods will have an issue with it.

[eyebrowsonfleek]

10 year old girls wouldn't like 10 year old boys in the ladies and vice versa.

[40andfucked]

As I said my son was at the park with his cousins and sister. His sister is 18 next month.

[whywonthedgehogssharethehedge]

It wouldn't bother me to see a 10 year old boy in the toilets but I wouldn't take mine in with me. He is 6 and we are just starting him going by himself. He has a time limit and if he isn't out in it one of us comes in. I usually stand outside or DH goes with him. I've never yet had to go in after him.

[Rumpelstiltskin143]

Here's your truckload of cotton to wrap him up in.

[Babyamazon]

I take my 8 year old into the ladies.

I wouldn't send a child into the men's alone. There have been several incidents of boys being sexually assaulted in toilets in supermarkets and one in a community centre.

I don't see the problem ladies toilets have lockable cubicles.

[40andfucked]

The thing is, is the bar staff had just said. 'Sorry I think he's a bit old to be in here' I'd have said 'ok can I have the radar key to take him to the disabled toilet'. It was her attitude against him, in front of him, that really pissed me off.

[foursillybeans]

I am always confused why women are cross about boys say 12/13 under going in the ladies. There are cubicles and we don't do anything in the public part except lipstick and washing our hands. Why get upset about it? What is it you think the boys will see?
The men's however have their junk out and it is intimidating for the boys. My DS, just 11, has said to me that is difficult to go when he is nervous on his own in the Gents. He'll get there obviously but we don't go out that much so he doesn't get to use them that often.

[Babyamazon]

Op just ignore all the stupid answers.

I see loads of people take their sons into the toilet, no one in rl bats an eyelid.

[reallyanotherone]

I use a leisure centre where many of the mums have the same attitude- it's ok for my son to use the ladies as he's with me.

No, it's not. My 11 yo dd feels she can't change in an area designated for her, because there are more boys than girls in there. Often up to the age of 12 or 13- not necessarily getting changed themselves, but with mum while little sister changes, and they sit there openly looking.

Nt boys over 8 should not be in female spaces.

I have been in womens loos when mum sends the son in to use the toilet while she waits outside.

[foursillybeans]

Actually 13 is a bit old actually. 11-early 12 is about the oldest.

[foursillybeans]

Getting changed/changing rooms is an completely different conversation to a conversion/thread about toilets.

[reallyanotherone]

People do bat eyelids irl. I certainly do.

Mostly, in a typical female way, women don't speak up.

[cherryplumbanana]

good grief.

I wouldn't send a 10yo boy ALONE in a female toilet obviously, which would make it awkward for teenage girls. Absolutely non-issue to take him with me. Let's not even mention train stations. If you leave a young child on his own, you are crazy.

[otter2954]

YABU. 10 is too old.

[40andfucked]

I take my son into a family room when changing for swimming. Would never let him be where women/girls, or he, was changing! Totally different!

[Whatthefreakinwhatnow]

The men's however have their junk out and it is intimidating for the boys

How utterly ridiculous! Boys are well aware that men have penises too, I doubt very much they even bat and eyelid, let alone feel intimidated! Jesus wept!

[PaulDacresMicroPenis]

Thread not bun fighty enough for you op, so now you add misusing disabled facilities into the mix?
Reported

[40andfucked]

Thank you @babyamazon

[ThymeLord]

teenage girls who have started their periods wouldn't be happy about this

My teenage girl who has periods would see a little boy with his mum and not think twice.

Would I take a 10 year old son into the toilets with me? No. I don't care one jot that op did though. He's 10 not 15.

[OhSoggyBiscuit]

I don't think I've even noticed anyone else in the loos at the same time as me- be it young boys, small children. I'm in there to do my business, wash my hands and leave. I couldn't care less as long as the young boy wasn't attempting to peek into my cubicle.

[Bugsylugs]

I get comments lo only 7 but tall hey ho. Let the comments come