Something I've never had to consider before

[wavinwayne]

Last weekend, I took my 6 year old daughter to visit my family, over 100 miles away. It was just the two of us, as my wife & son were under the weather & unable to make the trip.

I made sure that my daughter used the bathroom before we made our return trip, and no potty stops were required on the way home. But it got me to thinking, what is the proper thing to do while traveling, when it's just me & her? Do I take her to the men's restroom with me, when one of us HAS TO GO?

I realize this question is weird and uncomfortable, but like I say, I've never had to consider it before, since my wife is always with us when we travel. What would you guys do?

 

[Dave Hess]

Its not weird, but you simply take her to the mens room and do what your wife would do when she takes her to the ladies room.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

I take my daughter into the men's room and I stand guard while she has privacy. I think privacy for her & protecting her feelings in the whole matter makes her feel comfortable, then it's no big deal to her.

 

[Pablo]

I always took my two daughters into the men's potty (made sure it was clear whenever possible) until they were old enough to go in the women's can by themselves and then for the first couple years I would hang out by the door.

It's a bit strange and no offense....your daughter is 6 and this is the first time this has hit you?

 

[tdpark]

I dread that day- kind of glad my daughter is taking her time with the potty training thing. I think I will then put a port a potty in the minivan.

 

[TallPaul]

Never had to figure this one out. Always kept a camper porta-potty in the back of the Aerostar.

 

[Gary Allan]

You just needed to play Mr. Mom more, ww. You need another newborn and get acquainted with carrying a diaper bag for a few years playing tag team with the wife on care giving..then the MEN'S ROOM deal is nothing to even blink at. You get in touch with that nurturing feminine side ...in a manly kind of way

 

[Shannow]

I typically try to find either the parent's room (if they've got one), or the disabled toilets.

Failing that, the mens will do fine (preferably when everyone's walked out, as I'm not keen on her seeing other guys at the urinal.

 

[refaller]

I feel rather liberal now. I let my five year old go into the ladies room herself. Then I stand near the door. Good night, I probably look like some sort of stalker. Never had a problem. I used to take her to the men's room until she could handle everything herself. Family bathrooms should be everywhere- it is most comfortable for all involved.

ref

 

[msparks]

It's not a big deal. Worst thing is finding a clean toilet since most guys that use them get [censored] everywhere.

It does take a little preplanning, but it's really not that bad, of coarse I haven't had to deal with this situation in 6-7 years since mine is 15 now. I took her all the time though when she was little.

 

[wavinwayne]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
...It's a bit strange and no offense....your daughter is 6 and this is the first time this has hit you?


Yes. My wife always travels with us, so she's always taken care of the bathroom duties. I've handled this sort of thing myself at the mall, but that's different because most of the dept. stores in the mall have family bathrooms. While on the road, it's different.

 

[Al]

Been there done that.

6 years old (or even 5) should be old enough for her to use a woman's restroom while you stand outside. Women are typically not predators..especially in say a McDonalds Restaurant. Just make sure you have alcohol wipes for her hands.

 

[wavinwayne]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
You just needed to play Mr. Mom more, ww. You need another newborn and get acquainted with carrying a diaper bag for a few years playing tag team with the wife on care giving..then the MEN'S ROOM deal is nothing to even blink at. You get in touch with that nurturing feminine side ...in a manly kind of way

I'm already a step ahead there, sort of. The first 4 months of 2007, I was laid off. My son was not yet a year old, and my daughter was not in Kindergarten yet. SO, for 4 months, I took care of both of them at home, all day while my wife was at work. I even did the better part of the timing belt job on my GTI, whilst also tending to my children. That takes talent.

And NO!!!! on another newborn. I've already made sure that won't happen again. I would almost surely lose my mind with 3 kids.

 

[msparks]

Originally Posted By: Al
Been there done that.

6 years old (or even 5) should be old enough for her to use a woman's restroom while you stand outside. Women are typically not predators..especially in say a McDonalds Restaurant. Just make sure you have alcohol wipes for her hands.


I guess it depends if it's a #1 or #2.

Of coarse I can't remember at what age, but it seems #2 wouldn't get "cleaned up" enough. If it's a #1 I would thing at 6 or so it should be okay.

The thing that always got me, was what if it takes too long? What if I need to go in and get her?

I do remember yelling in several times ARE YOU ALRIGHT? then trying to figure out how to handle the situation. Talk about embarrassing.

Just seems easier to take her in the guys and you have full control.

 

[javacontour]

As a divorced dad, I played this game a few years ago. I found that most McDonalds with a play-place have a kids bathroom in the play place. So you can either go there with her, or stand outside the door. No one else will be there.

In a year or two, she will be going on her own, without much need for hovering supervision, so you can just stand outside the ladies room while she goes.

My daughter is nine now, and has been on her own for a couple of years.

Of course, now I'm married, and oilbabe or her daughter are available for this duty.

 

[Schmoe]

The main thing I deal with is finding a clean bathroom for my daughter in the mens bathroom. You surely don't want your daughter having to go potty next to a truck driver in the stall next to you reading the paper. I've used this before and it only works if an older lady is behind the counter, ask to use the employees bathroom just for your little girl. Better cleaner odds.

 

[McKittrick]

I had this happen to me on the last trip. My wife needed to take care of the little one while my daughter needed to go.

My wife told me to take our daughter in to go to the bathroom.

I opened the door to the men's room, and the sounds and odors emanating from the stalls would have made the cell phone dropping into the toilet joke seem mild.

So I told her that she would just have to wait for Mommy.

She did ok with that.

 

[kkreit01]

I've asked this same question on another site. My daughter is 7. I mostly take her in with me. She goes in the stall (obviously) -- while I use urinal. Depending on the location, she has gone into womens bathroom alone -- and I wait outside the door. In this day and age, I'd much rather be safe (and uncomfortable) than sorry.

Another problem is, in some restrooms the soap &/or towels are still too high for her to reach.

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
I even did the better part of the timing belt job on my GTI, whilst also tending to my children. That takes talent.


You can get quite resourceful if you have to be. I never managed to be a 100% (not working) care giver ..so I like to view it as being more under fire due to my lack of keeping up with Joyce. It was a very high standard of performance that she set ..but there's no two ways about it, I have a better understanding why it can drive some neurotic. The phone never stops ringing with infants/toddlers. It can be a lot of fun too, but it consumes a good amount of youth in the process.

Quote:
And NO!!!! on another newborn. I've already made sure that won't happen again. I would almost surely lose my mind with 3 kids.

We have 3. I've come to the conclusion that people that have 3 children didn't know that 2 was enough ..but quickly realized that a 4th was not in the picture.