Moms frequently shield their children from harm. However, on occasion, other parents may scoff at a parent’s method of child protection. Despite having only the finest intentions for their children, parents may come across as being overly protective. As long as it won’t harm them in the process, parents are free to safeguard their children in any way they see fit.
However, certain methods could come across as not just fussy but also completely illogical. This is effective for a mother who only let her son use the ladies’ restroom and never lets him use the men’s, especially all by himself.
A mother expressed her worry on Mumsnet, a website for parents, in January 2023, specifically to inquire as to whether she was being unreasonable in refusing to let her 7-year-old son use the men’s washroom.
Every time she and her son walked outside, this mother insisted that she would still take him to the potty.
The mother responded, “I make my child come into the ladies’ with me when we’re out and he needs the restroom.
However, the mother claims that her son has since begun to protest about her for continuing to take him inside the women’s restroom up until this point. She once gave her kid permission to enter the building alone, but she made it clear that this was only possible since there was nobody inside that he might run into.
The issue is that he’s starting to gripe about it and wants to use the men’s room alone. I’ve only allowed him to do this in one location because there is never anyone else there, so I knew he wouldn’t run into anyone at the urinals,” the mother said.
Although the mother said she was having trouble putting it into words, she said she typically doesn’t let her son use the restroom alone himself, especially in public restrooms that are also swimming pools.
She added, “I’m usually honest with him, but I don’t quite know how to explain why I’m not allowing him do this elsewhere, like at the swimming pool/gym toilet.
The mother was asked what she was worried about, and she replied that she was afraid of men potentially approaching her son.
He can certainly use a toilet alone himself, but I worry that he might observe mature men using urinals or, on the off event that it happens, someone suspicious would approach him. We all know there are flashers and worse out there; I remember seeing them as a child, as did the majority of the ladies I know, she remarked. He will eventually refuse to enter the ladies’ room; perhaps, by that time, he will be prepared to manage any difficult circumstances.
She asked moms, and she got a ton of replies. One suggested she wait outside while her son uses the restroom, while another that she act as his mom and counsel him on how to manage risky circumstances.
“Let him use the men’s room while you wait outside. If anyone tries to stop him from going, tell him to shout. Otherwise, keep educating people about the dangers of strangers. At some point, he must learn to go alone, a parent stated.
“Discuss with him the best ways to approach certain circumstances. Another parent added, “I called in after mine to say that I was just outside, so everyone inside knew someone was watching out.
What do you think of this mother’s decision to prevent her son from using the men’s room on his own? Share this with your loved ones and friends to get their thoughts as well, and let us know what you think.