Hello!

I would like to ask everyone a question. My son is 9 and I still worry about letting him go to the toilets on his own at the shopping centre. I make him come to the ladies with me, but he says it’s embarrassing. What age did other mums let their little men use the men’s toilet on their own?

Posted by Kathleen, 08/11/13

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  • What did you end up deciding?


  • I totally disagree with Kylie


  • im still not comfortable with my 7 year old going alone


  • let him go to the disabled toilet and you are right outside!


  • I would let him go in by himself and just stand close enough that if he needs you quick you can hear him. I would also make it very clear to use the cubicles and lock them.


  • I let my boys go in pairs. I only felt comfortable when they were 11/12.


  • i think at round 10 – I let my son go in but I always wait around the entrance


  • My oldest boy is 6 and he will still come to the Ladies with me, but sometimes wants to use the Mens on his own. My husband has shown him how to use a urinal. He uses the toilet on his own at school and home, so the only thing I’m concerned about are strangers, but he’s knows I’m right there and if I was really worried I would go in to get him.


  • Can you use the disabled toilet or ‘parenting room’ toilet instead?


  • I think it comes down to him. is he responsible enough, abnd does he know what dangers ,ight be there 🙂


  • It is horrible and I have had to go into the mens when my son did not come out for a while, but fortunatly he was just taking a while doing a poo! But I didnt like it but he refused to go in the ladies around 9 and so I used to make sure we always went to the toilet before we went out, but sometimes they had to go but I always stood outside the toilet until he was out.


  • My little ones still come with me, I haven’t thought about it. Hopefully I will know when he is ready.


  • Go with your motherly instinct, and everyone is different I hope you find the answer for your son


  • Interesting answers my boys is 8 now and we go to the parents or disabled toilets.


  • sorry he is nearly 8


  • depends where we are. i try and find a changeroom/toilet if i can but if not i stand out fornt of the mens while he goes


  • I think 9 you can normally let them go alone, although I personally wait outside nearby and watch who goes in and out till my boy comes out. Mine is 7 and very independent and I have only started letting him go alone and I don’t like it but he gets very embarrassed now having to use the ladies.


  • We use the parents room too 🙂


  • I had the same problem with and comments from him as well he was 10 and then with my waiting outside on tenderhooks. I too got strange looks but with the society we live in and the lack of safety and he had already experienced some of it cruelty first hand by that age I did not care. i was also told I was being overprotective but again did not care as long as my son was safe.


  • Please don’t use the disabled toilets unless the main toilets are put of order etc – they are set aside for those less fortunate and should be available for their use.
    If you’re worried about someone looking at your boy instruct him to use a stall not a urinal. Use a busy toilet with lots of people, personally I think boys who are school age should use men’s toilets.


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