Q and A

Share
Print

Find Answers

Categories

Ask A Question

Help

Experts

Dr. Elizabeth Matheis

see all experts

What bathroom does a father take his daughter into when she is young?

What is the protocol for a dad taking his daughter to a public restroom? Does she go into the men's room with him? Sorry if this sounds dumb, but I've only ever seen mothers taking their children into the ladies room with them and I'm wondering if guys ever take their kids into the mens room (and if so what to do about all the exposed man parts), or do they go into the ladies room with their little girls and apologize to the grown women...?

Submitted by gretayoung1

I would say the absolute last resort choice would be for the dad to go into the woman’s room! First choice would be to find a family bathroom, which is becoming more common these days. Second choice, up to age 4 or 5 would be for the dad to take her into the men’s room but go straight to a stall. After that, hopefully she would be able to go to a woman’s room by herself but if not, he can wait outside the woman’s room until a motherly-looking woman goes in and he can ask her to look out for his daughter.

All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.

Answered by Dr. Alice D. Domar

Community Answers17

Answer this Question

I always have my husband take our daughter to the ladies room providing there is no family stall. I have told him time after time never take her to the male toilet. In the beginning he was nervous but I assured him if any other women had a problem with them being in there just simply state that your kid does not need the image of a man exposed in a urinal. What utter rubbish on the part of an expert to advise help from a complete stranger. Male/female it does not matter you cannot trust anyone!

Submitted by PepsiKola

Report Abuse

I always have my husband take our daughter to the ladies room providing there is no family stall. I have told him time after time never take her to the male toilet. In the beginning he was nervous but I assured him if any other women had a problem with them being in there just simply state that your kid does not need the image of a man exposed in a urinal. What utter rubbish on the part of an expert to advise help from a complete stranger. Male/female it does not matter you cannot trust anyone!

Submitted by PepsiKola

Report Abuse

Ok, was too long of a thought, they need allow more than 500 char. If I instructed them to potty ahead of time, and they refused, then got to store or restaurant and said they had to go, I did not feel guilty asking telling them they shoulda gone at preschool, and to hold it till we got home. If they didnt have to go at preschool, they wouldnt build enuf urge to urgently go hour later. If they didnt want to go, wasnt urgent enuf, they can manage a little longer, next time, they'll listen.

Submitted by americanman_4_life

Report Abuse

Last thought on topic, sense I experience it often, with 3 kids, 2 are girls. First off, I went into Mens room couple times w either girl, seen a dirty toilet, & askin her to wait another couple minutes, would leave the restroom, or change stalls (if more than one). If I left, did so to find a staff, ask them to clean toilets so my child could use it, and they would act immediately. But the best thing parents, esp singles, can do plan ahead. Leaving preschool, I tell all 3 potty now. But if...

Submitted by americanman_4_life

Report Abuse

I seen some other tips, well intended, but... First off, stalls dont gaurantee anyone 100% privacy! Many times I be in a stall alone, and catch an eye thru a crack as a guy walks by. So to the ladies who think its ok to allow a man in & take his girl potty, careful, we're all men, married or not, are carious about the opposite gender. 2nd, at home, I teach privacy, all 3 kids between gender. Accidental peeks/walkin happen. Atleast I trust there innocence, & self. But I cover girls eyes anywhr el

Submitted by americanman_4_life

Report Abuse

Im a single father of three young children, oldest, a girl, turns 5 in March. My son is 3.5 years, and my youngest, also girl, is 2.5. Yes, times get stressful, but I manage as best I can. As you can imagine, this topic surfaces all the time. First off, I'll say I've never once, for either girl, gone into a lady restroom. As suggested, I find a Family restroom, often in Walmart. No fam? My near 5 goes alone in ladies, if needs help, I ask for lady worker for store. I take 2y in mens, cover eyes.

Submitted by americanman_4_life

Report Abuse

I'm concerned with the experts suggestion of asking "a motherly looking person" to watch her. Would you also recommend us mothers to look for a "fatherly looking man" to assist our sons in the bathroom? I take my kids in with me or nothing. A parent cannot be charged with deciding what is fatherly or motherly looking when it comes to the safety of their children.

Report Abuse

I am 100% ok with a man having to bring his young daughter to the women's restroom if need be. First of all, we ONLY have stalls. So he isn't going to see anybody naked. Second of all, they are typically MUCH cleaner than the men's rooms. Third, you risk her seeing "man parts" that she doesn't need to see if you go to the men's room. Thankfully, most places have Family restrooms now, which is VERY usesul for everybody.

Submitted by RockinMomNTexas

Report Abuse

If there is a separate disabled bathroom or a single person bathroom, I'd say take her there, and either go in with her if she's too young to go by herself or wait right outside until she's done. If that's not an option, I'd say take her to the men's bathroom (stick your head in first to see there's no shady characters) and wait right outside the stall. Whatever you do, just don't leave them alone, unaccompanied children of both genders have been attacked in both genders of public bathrooms.

Submitted by laurenasweene

Report Abuse

take the kid to the mens room..no need for covering eyes or any bs that mariebull suggested....everyone sees everything at home, so no freaking big deal...sheesh

Submitted by hammer59

Report Abuse

My husband has had this issue with our granddaughter. He covers her eyes and takes her to a stall. The first time this happened her told her to cover her eyes. She told me later that she had peeked, so now he covers her eyes.

Submitted by mariebull

Report Abuse

I personally would be nervous having my daughter or son go into a restroom with a stranger, since I really do not know what is going on out of my sight. If I were the Dad and my daughter were over 5 or 6 years of age, I would look for a place known to have single-person bathrooms. Starbucks is one place I can think of where I, as a Mom, find it easier to take my 7 year old son if we're out (in which case he can go in on his own).

Submitted by juliecm5

Report Abuse

When my father took me to the restroom when I was young he always took me into the men's restroom with him. If there was another man in the restroom he would just angle himself in front of me so I couldn't see the other man, then he would take me to the stall and wait for me to do my business. My mother was usually the one to take me to the restroom though. My father usually only took me if he knew there probably wasn't going to be anyone else in the restroom.

Submitted by alyssa_success1

Report Abuse

yes where else your gonna go?

Submitted by jeremyvarnado

Report Abuse

i was raised by my father and i went into the mens room i felt so naughty but it was also like an adventure lol no worrys so long as u love ur child..... sall good!!!!

Submitted by VirgozMom

Report Abuse

I being a single father for 2 and a half years, always took my daughter into the mens room with me. But she is always asking questions and wanting to know what things are and ALWAYS talking. so the men knew she was coming when i opened the door. Some would smile and say hi other would hurry and turn there head and leave. To be honest, since she was old enough to walk i have not shared a public bathroom with more than 2 men in it.

Submitted by dap1416

Report Abuse

My Father raised me and he always opened the men's room door to see if anyone was in there first and would usher me straight to a stall after making sure no one was exposed. He would also ask the wife of a frend, female staff or a mother that was already taking a child to the girls room. Of course that was the 80's and unisex RR's were very few and far between. Mostly he prefered to ask me if I could wait or stop at a gas station that had the keyed single RR's.

Submitted by divine_sacrific

Report Abuse

Other Questions You Might Like

My son's father is telling him that his new girlfriend's child is my son's "new brother." What should I do?

How can I help my 4-year old adjust to school and a new sibling at the same time?

What to say to a child who thinks she's fat?

What do I tell a child who says she has no friends?

How can I get my son to stop hitting his sister?

Todays Daily Prize

Mom Finds
Mom Tools
Win

Click Here

Click Here