How old is too old for boys to use the ladies room or ladies locker room with mom?
July 24, 2025
20 comments
This is a tough question when the kids took swimming lessons at school 5-6 they used the correct locker room. Waited outside for my daughter
As someone who doesn’t have kids but does use public facilities: it depends?
In a bathroom with multiple stalls, I could not care less. As long as his mom keeps him contained (preferably in the stall with her, but at least not roaming the bathroom and peeping in stalls or something), I do not care. It’s a bathroom. As long as we’re all doing what we need to do (and the vast, vast majority of people in public bathrooms **are** doing that), it’s fine.
In a locker room? It’s a little more dicey, sort of. I want to say maybe when he starts to look like he’s six or seven? Or behaves that way? Maybe they get more leeway if they’re relatively well-behaved and not looking around or making kid-style commentary about the people around them? Regardless of how his mom and he feel about changing in the middle of the locker room, probably she should bring him to a stall to change if he’s much older than a toddler?
But again: I’m not a mother, and I’m also not the kind of person who’s going to go off on someone in public unless something absolutely out-of-hand is going on.
It depends a lot on the country.
I personally don’t feel there is an age limit. At a certain point, I just assume there is a reason a mom is bringing their grown child into the bathroom and she feels safer doing it in the female vs. male bathroom.
Agree with the other poster about toilets with separate stalls – as long as they behave, take ‘em with you as long as needed.
Locker rooms is a different story. I’m fortunate that I rarely have to share a locker room, but when I do, I just don’t want any boys around, no matter what age. The idea makes me very uncomfortable.
Puberty I’d say if it’s changing area / naked area. Usually they say 8-9 they can go men’s locker –
Personally we went got changed in the bathroom when needed as my son is Special needs
Age 5-6? Whenever they reach an age (or attitude, or personality,) where they can be given instructions and follow them reliably. (ie: please go potty in the mens room, wash your hands, then wait for me right here. (designated waiting spot) and don’t move until I come out. Caveat for emergencies, kid can run into the ladies room if they need help, or just panic.
Disabled? No age limit.
No disabilities and fully neurotypical? Around 10.
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You’ll know. They start looking AT things rather than towards things. Usually 5-7.
depends honestly. 8-10? around then. just curious though because a lot of places have family locker rooms.
I think as long as your child is disrespectful then it’s fine. Someone said depends on the country and I do agree with that different cultures different things I feel like in the US people have courses about things like this, but nudity isn’t sexual. also, locker rooms typically still have stalls.
I also think it depends on how well your child is able to take instructions and would they be able to do various things on their own and do you trust the environment that you’re in that nothing would happen to your kid
In my opinion, when they can go into the men’s restroom alone. If they can’t go by themselves, they have to go with you.
It’s not so much about the age, more about when they stop needing assistance/help using the bathroom and/or when they understand privacy and personal space.
I think some people are ignoring scenarios when MOM needs to pee.
If I could stand outside men’s room I would send boys in around 6-7. But up until my son was 8 (maybe closer to 9?) if we were in a busy area I’d bring him into the women’s restroom with me if I had to go. He couldn’t see anything with stalls, and I was not going to leave a child unattended outside the women’s restroom with hundreds of strangers going by.
Im 62 and still use the ladies room to do #2’s.
When they are old enough to go alone… cause what is a mother supposed to do until then?
6-7 is the line imo
He can be even 58 and without mom, as long as he doesn’t touch me or stare intensely at my private parts (for which he would have to get into my stall/changing room and generally get close to me in a way that women in these rooms don’t get).
seven or eight at the eldest, imo
Whenever they’re at the age where they can independently do everything on their own. Use the bathroom, wipe, get dressed
20 comments
This is a tough question when the kids took swimming lessons at school 5-6 they used the correct locker room. Waited outside for my daughter
As someone who doesn’t have kids but does use public facilities: it depends?
In a bathroom with multiple stalls, I could not care less. As long as his mom keeps him contained (preferably in the stall with her, but at least not roaming the bathroom and peeping in stalls or something), I do not care. It’s a bathroom. As long as we’re all doing what we need to do (and the vast, vast majority of people in public bathrooms **are** doing that), it’s fine.
In a locker room? It’s a little more dicey, sort of. I want to say maybe when he starts to look like he’s six or seven? Or behaves that way? Maybe they get more leeway if they’re relatively well-behaved and not looking around or making kid-style commentary about the people around them? Regardless of how his mom and he feel about changing in the middle of the locker room, probably she should bring him to a stall to change if he’s much older than a toddler?
But again: I’m not a mother, and I’m also not the kind of person who’s going to go off on someone in public unless something absolutely out-of-hand is going on.
It depends a lot on the country.
I personally don’t feel there is an age limit. At a certain point, I just assume there is a reason a mom is bringing their grown child into the bathroom and she feels safer doing it in the female vs. male bathroom.
Agree with the other poster about toilets with separate stalls – as long as they behave, take ‘em with you as long as needed.
Locker rooms is a different story. I’m fortunate that I rarely have to share a locker room, but when I do, I just don’t want any boys around, no matter what age. The idea makes me very uncomfortable.
Puberty I’d say if it’s changing area / naked area. Usually they say 8-9 they can go men’s locker –
Personally we went got changed in the bathroom when needed as my son is Special needs
Age 5-6? Whenever they reach an age (or attitude, or personality,) where they can be given instructions and follow them reliably. (ie: please go potty in the mens room, wash your hands, then wait for me right here. (designated waiting spot) and don’t move until I come out. Caveat for emergencies, kid can run into the ladies room if they need help, or just panic.
Disabled? No age limit.
No disabilities and fully neurotypical? Around 10.
[removed]
You’ll know. They start looking AT things rather than towards things. Usually 5-7.
depends honestly. 8-10? around then. just curious though because a lot of places have family locker rooms.
I think as long as your child is disrespectful then it’s fine. Someone said depends on the country and I do agree with that different cultures different things I feel like in the US people have courses about things like this, but nudity isn’t sexual. also, locker rooms typically still have stalls.
I also think it depends on how well your child is able to take instructions and would they be able to do various things on their own and do you trust the environment that you’re in that nothing would happen to your kid
In my opinion, when they can go into the men’s restroom alone. If they can’t go by themselves, they have to go with you.
It’s not so much about the age, more about when they stop needing assistance/help using the bathroom and/or when they understand privacy and personal space.
I think some people are ignoring scenarios when MOM needs to pee.
If I could stand outside men’s room I would send boys in around 6-7. But up until my son was 8 (maybe closer to 9?) if we were in a busy area I’d bring him into the women’s restroom with me if I had to go. He couldn’t see anything with stalls, and I was not going to leave a child unattended outside the women’s restroom with hundreds of strangers going by.
Im 62 and still use the ladies room to do #2’s.
When they are old enough to go alone… cause what is a mother supposed to do until then?
6-7 is the line imo
He can be even 58 and without mom, as long as he doesn’t touch me or stare intensely at my private parts (for which he would have to get into my stall/changing room and generally get close to me in a way that women in these rooms don’t get).
seven or eight at the eldest, imo
Whenever they’re at the age where they can independently do everything on their own. Use the bathroom, wipe, get dressed