Change Rooms at Swimming Pools

AndiNW · #1 April 28th, 2011, 07:22 AM

I always love to hear your opinions on things. So here's another one (a little more serious than the manpris

).

DD is 5 and is in kindergarten. A couple of weeks ago we went to swimming lessons and when we went to the change room afterwards, there was a little boy from her kindergarten class with his mom, older sister and younger brother. I felt a little awkward because I didn't want to start drying and dressing her while he was right there. So I kept her wrapped up and let her have a snack and combed her hair until he left. This week we were at the opposite end of the change room, so it wasn't really an issue. Our pool has a policy that boys over 6 cannot be in the women's change room and there is an alternate needs/family change room as well.

DD didn't seem bothered by him being there and I've volunteered in her class before and sometimes the kids forget to close the door when they go to the washroom. So I suppose that maybe they are still a little young to be noticing each other that way, but I was still uncomfortable. I didn't want a little boy from school seeing her naked.

How would you feel? Is it a big deal or not so much at this age?

Daffodil · #2 April 28th, 2011, 07:43 AM

I would have probably did what you did. It might not have been a big deal, but you also don't want the kids to be like 'I saw so-and-so naked!" you know?

dunerchick · #3 April 28th, 2011, 07:59 AM

I bring my 5 year old son in the womens dressing room. My best friend has a DS and when he was 5 he was touched when he was in the mens dressing room using the restroom. I'm not about to let that happen. I've been told by staff he's to old to be in there but not sure what else to do, me go with him in the mens?

sweetliberty · #4 April 28th, 2011, 08:02 AM

That's a tough one. I probably would have done what you did and either waited or gone to the opposite end. I also have no idea what I would do if I were there alone with Aaron and he were around that age. It's a tough one. Sorry.

No real advice here.

AndiNW · #5 April 28th, 2011, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunerchick

I bring my 5 year old son in the womens dressing room. My best friend has a DS and when he was 5 he was touched when he was in the mens dressing room using the restroom. I'm not about to let that happen. I've been told by staff he's to old to be in there but not sure what else to do, me go with him in the mens?

That's part of the dilemma, I would hate for something like that to happen to any child so I'm not suggesting a 5 year old should go into the change room by themselves. And I don't think 5 is too old to be in the women's change room. It was just a little awkward because it was someone from her school. That just changed made a difference to me. On the other hand, there is a family change room that I know my friends use with their older boys.

I will totally be in the same situation in a few years, so I am interested to hear what other people think/do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daffodil

I would have probably did what you did. It might not have been a big deal, but you also don't want the kids to be like 'I saw so-and-so naked!" you know?

That's what I was thinking. I don't know when they start that kind of stuff!

mommytokem · #6 April 28th, 2011, 08:38 AM

I won't let my 6 year old go to a public restroom alone, he comes in with me all the time to the women's. However, if we have the option of using a family restroom we do that instead, because it is much more appropriate and I know I've gotten looks for him being in the ladies room. Since there is a family changing area maybe suggest it to her.

sfarrow3 · #7 April 28th, 2011, 09:20 AM

Yes due to the fact that it was her classmate I would have done the same thing. I also have a son who is only 4 and I will continue to bring him in to the women's restroom and dressing room until I feel its ok. A while back there was a story of a 10 year old boy who was strangled and hung in the men's dressing room by some random guy! OMG! The times we live in.. anyway..this is such a hard decision. They really need to make alot more family restrooms and dressing rooms IMO.

#8 April 28th, 2011, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfarrow3

Yes due to the fact that it was her classmate I would have done the same thing. I also have a son who is only 4 and I will continue to bring him in to the women's restroom and dressing room until I feel its ok. A while back there was a story of a 10 year old boy who was strangled and hung in the men's dressing room by some random guy! OMG! The times we live in.. anyway..this is such a hard decision. They really need to make alot more family restrooms and dressing rooms IMO.

Gosh, now I feel like a horrible mother. Just recently I've been letting Kaitlyn go in the restroom alone. She's quick, but it's always a hassle to get Kaileigh out, and grab my purse, etc...so I just let her run in alone and do her business. If she ever takes longer then her normal I open the door and ask "Kaitlyn, everything ok?" But seriously she is quick. I also seem to think she's very mature for age 4 so I just feel like she knows what to do and not to do. Plus she is so shy, she would never talk to anyone in there. I would say I've maybe let her do it 5x now? Anyways, now you said that I will be very leary about it.

About letting the boy in the dressing room. I would have just waited until he left too. I get weirded out about kids of opposite gender seeing each other. Last year Kaitlyn walked in on my nephew pottying, and after that she as SOOOOOOO many questions that I wasnt even prepared to talk about.

Wren · #9 April 28th, 2011, 06:10 PM

I agree that it wouldn't have been a big deal if it was a random boy, but being her classmate you did the right thing. I don't think they are too self-concious yet, but you never know.

AndiNW · #10 April 28th, 2011, 07:09 PM

Thanks for your input. I was worried that I was being hyper-sensitive and over-thinking the situation. I'm not upset about it, and we can work around it.

AmandaEliz · #11 April 28th, 2011, 08:21 PM

Yeah, I probably would've waited, too. I think that's something all of us with boy/girl siblings are going to face at some point. I live in a really busy area & there isn't a snowball's chance in you-know-where that either of my kids are going to be going into a public restroom alone for a very long time. Also, if your DD has seen you change Wyatt's diaper, she is aware of the difference, but you never know what the boy's Mom has taught him.

sfarrow3 · #12 April 28th, 2011, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaiX2Momma

Gosh, now I feel like a horrible mother. Just recently I've been letting Kaitlyn go in the restroom alone. She's quick, but it's always a hassle to get Kaileigh out, and grab my purse, etc...so I just let her run in alone and do her business. If she ever takes longer then her normal I open the door and ask "Kaitlyn, everything ok?" But seriously she is quick. I also seem to think she's very mature for age 4 so I just feel like she knows what to do and not to do. Plus she is so shy, she would never talk to anyone in there. I would say I've maybe let her do it 5x now? Anyways, now you said that I will be very leary about it.

About letting the boy in the dressing room. I would have just waited until he left too. I get weirded out about kids of opposite gender seeing each other. Last year Kaitlyn walked in on my nephew pottying, and after that she as SOOOOOOO many questions that I wasnt even prepared to talk about.

Don't feel horrible! Like you said Kaitlyn is in and out and is shy. Caden is a social butterfly and would be the kid taking candy from strangers and following a random nut to help him look for his lost dog! Despitethe fact Im teaching him stranger danger! Smh!