Parenting expert shares how she kept son safe in public toilets: 'I'm coming in!'
By Merryn Porter |
As mothers of little boys know only too well, there comes a time when they do not want to accompany mum to the women's public toilets anymore, but want to go to the men's instead.
But how do we know they will be safe when we can't accompany them inside?
Now a parenting expert has shared the trick she used with her own son to ensure he was safe in a public toilet and we must admit it's pretty clever, albeit a little embarrassing.
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Lisa Bunnage is a parenting coach who offers tips to other parents on the BratBusters Parenting TikTok page, covering everything from how to tame your toddler to stopping your kids from manipulating you.
But it was her video on public bathroom safety for kids that really gained attention this week, racking up 444,000 views in just three days.
"I'm going to tell you what I did for my son," she began.
"He was probably about eight and he didn't want to go in the women's bathroom at the mall anymore and I understood that so I said, 'OK you can go in the men's bathroom'.
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"This is what I did. I said 'OK you go in' and then I pushed the door open and I yelled out 'Mummy's right here. If you're not out in about a minute I'm coming in'. And all I saw was men running out and zipping up their flies.
She added that while it was "socially unacceptable" she "knew he was safe."
"And he wasn't even embarrassed. He was used to me, but that kept him safe.
"Just a little tip. I don't know if you want to use it."
The video drew a big reaction from parents.
"I'm so nervous about that bathroom transition. Thank you for the idea!" wrote one person.
"I do not care if it's socially 'unacceptable'. I'm sticking this in my back pocket for when my youngest is old enough to use the bathroom on his own," said another.
Others offered their own tips, including directing their children to sing, whistle or adopt code words.
"I have my boys sing the alphabet loudly the entire time they are in the bathroom," said one.
"My mum had my brother whistle. If he stopped she cracked the door and asked if he was OK," said another.
"Stand at the door and keep yelling to them. If they use the code word you go in," wrote another.
"I literally hold the men's door open and wait for him. Not risking anything. I mean nowhere is safe for children with any strangers these days!" said one, while another wrote, "I literally walk into the men's bathroom with him now and help him find a stall and then leave. I want ALL the people in there to know I'm RIGHT there."
Others felt the issue was with public toilets in general, as men also struggle when out with their daughters.
"No one ever really talks about the anxiety and how we don't even feel safe letting our boys use public bathrooms," said one.
"They should normalise parents-child toilet. Some malls have it," wrote another.
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