Do you think a 7 year old child should be able to go into a public bathroom by themselves?

Apparently I am one of the STUPID ones. As I trust the kids.

I have let an 8 (boy) 6 (girl) and 5 (girl) all use the bathrooms at our local beach at different times by themselves. I have even let a 9 year old girl bring a 5 year old girl to the bathroom by themselves. They had to walk from the park to the beach bathrooms (I could see them the whole walk there and the walk back) But not while they were in the bathroom.

I believe that if you teach them how to be have and about strangers then they will be FINE. Of course I live in a TINY town. less than 3000 people 90% of the time. But still even if this town was bigger I would still trust them. If you do not teach them then you risk a bigger chance of something bad happening.

Lets say your children are with a friend at the mall. And your child (7 at the time) had to use the bathroom and his friend did NOT. the friends mother told your son to go ahead and go. it was okay. so your son goes by himself. You have NOT taught your son about strangers and some guy is watching him in the bathroom. Your son does NOTHING as he doesn't know what to do. Now had that been my 7 year old. he would have knows what to do. To leave the bathroom and find a trusted adult to tell what just happened.

I am in NO way saying that you have not taught your son about strangers. I am just saying what could happen if someone didn't teach their child about strangers.

By the way in case you haven't noticed I agree with Dear Abby on this one. at 7 a boy is to old for the ladies room. And a girl is to old for the men's room. There are pedophiles EVERY WHERE'S. Even if you don't think someone is one they could be.

No and don't ask a total stranger even an older boy. I don't know why more public places don't have family restrooms. I appreciate your concern about your sons but it isn't only men and it isn't only boys. When my daughter was 10 we went to a basketball game in a 20,000 seat arena. She had to go and I couldn't very well take her in the men's room. So I stood outside the women's and nervously waited. It was really bad because it was one of those long narrow ones under the seats with a door at each end and I couldn't even see the other door from where I stood.

I think you just have to use your judgment. Some kids are more mature than others. At 7 years, a boy should be smart enough not to fall in the toilet (that is 2nd or 3rd grade age...what does he do at school when mommy isn't there?) You should teach your child to be independent enough to do "personal" things alone and make him/her aware of surroundings. i.e. if someone is starring or approaches him.

As for the sanitary issues...the faucet and door handles are disgusting even if the child can wash his hands. Be right outside the door waiting with Germ-X and wipes. Otherwise, restroom cleaning efforts are in vain.

If my mom/dad would have accompanied to the restroom at 7 years old...I would have been completely embarrassed and mortified.

7 is old enough to go to the bathroom by themselves LOL!! Over protective mother! If he can't reach the sink just have him give a call out to you. As for pedos hiding in stalls... that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.

But it depends on the place. If you are going into the Chuck E. Cheese's bathroom with your child you have got issues!

I can understand not going to the park alone, but a bathroom??? Are you joking?

Very mature, I said the idea was stupid. No where did I imply that the OP was stupid. She had very valid reasons not to let her kids go in alone. They weren't, "A pedo might jump out of the stall and rape my baby!!"

Stand outside the bathroom! What are you going to do? Take him to go potty when he's 12! A pedo will still go after him whether he's 7 or 12! Teach him to avoid those things!

Thank you desmeran!!! You understand what i'm talking about! It depends on the place! A local fast food place, a chuck e cheese's, etc. OK! Port authority, grand central, or places in horrible neighborhoods NO!

You think i'm crazy? I have seen 4-year-olds with no pants on sitting on top of the sinks trying to wash their hands and little 2-year-olds falling into toilets with no parent in sight. Me saying 7 is ok to go in alone is not that bad.

xxxx

It depends on how old the child is for the lake 7-8 is ok... Anything under NOOOOO way!!! Some changing rooms will refuse to let a woman in if it is a man's changing room. Last time I went to the beach they had people at the front monitoring it!

I have never read, nor do I know where to read dear abbey, but I don't think any one particular person is not better at giving advice than another.... I don't buy it. Nor do I buy men staring at your little boys stuff. I agree with your #1. My son is only 15 months, but I hardly see how a 7 year old is mature enough to handle the responsibilites and temptations (soap, toilet paper, paper towers, water, locking stall doors and crawling under) of going to the bathroom by himself.

Yeah, I think that most 7 year olds are old enough to go to the toilet by themselves. My son, at 7, wouldn't have wanted to come into the ladies' toilets. He'd have told me where to go if I even tried to get him to come into the ladies' at that age.

There's paodephiles everywhere, they don't all hide out in public toilets. You've got to give them some kind of freedom.

mommy have faith and let go a little! 7 yr old boys should not be taking by the hand in a lady's restroom. you could really do some damage to him in there! just teach him to scream,kick, bite anything to signal you, and stand outside the door. if he hollers bust right in and get to beating down the perv!

There was a boy that age who went into the McDonald's rest room and a paedophile was in their and molested the boy,so don't say that she's being an overprotective mother.Now a days you can't trust to leave your kids alone anywhere.

ok, from a father; he should go on his own. the toilet thing i TOTALLY get ! lol, saw that first hand at the movie theater, i simply went outside and asked out loud for the mom, and announced her into the restroom for the gentlemen present. as for the weirdos....yes they are real, but there are enough of of decent men out there who look out for those kids. just stay close so you can be found. this is just my opinion.

No. I think 7 is Still a little too young. And I agree about hand Washing with all that Nastiness in the Bathrooms.

But, Also, I dont Trust anyone to leave my kids around in Private for any amount of time.

But.... On the other hand, I wouldnt Care if i seen someone do it. That is their Perogative / Their kid.

EDIT~~ Amy, Where are you From?? Lala Rainbow Land?? Got to be kidding!