What Is the Cut off Age for Children in Other Changing Room?

since you acknowledge that this differs from region to region, why ask on a national forum what is The Right Age?
mine response is 'i don't care.'
when my boys told me they wanted to go to the men's side, off they went, knowing that i was a shout away.
if moms didn't want their little boys to see me, they didn't have to bring them into the women's.
someone else's discomfort is not my problem.
khairete
S.

It varies from place to place - many public pools have their own policies.
One place had 3 changing rooms - men s, women s and family - where there were changing areas with doors and all genders all ages were permitted in there.
I think the family changing area is a great idea and it works well.

It depends on the environment. At our small local pool, even my 6 year old goes to the men's changing room alone and started doing so at about 4 when he could handle his clothes himself. But last week at a busy rest stop on an interstate highway late at night, I made my 10 year old go to the ladies room with me (in a stall of course while I waited right outside the stall) to change into PJs for the last leg of the trip.

I don't pay attention to rules in this. My best judgement about safety as a parent trumps generic rules.

Since this is your first question, it would help you to know that it's not beneficial to tell people how to answer your question. " please keep the sexually remarks out of the answer"

I don't know a "sexually" remark and what you mean by that.

Do what you're comfortable with and what works for your family. It's not my problem to deal with your insecurities.

There is no "universal" age. It is up to the discretion of the facility/organization. I have never seen it as old as 11, it is usually 5 or 6 years of age. This is a reasonable age because by this age a) most kids are able to use the washroom independently and get changed independently, b) most kids are aware of their bodies and are curious about the differences between sexes and c) many kids are becoming self conscious of their own nudity. Having kids who are of school age use the gender appropriate change areas allows the children to retain their own dignity, provides other adults (and teens) with some privacy and fosters independence in children. Many facilities now have family/special needs changing areas to accommodate children who are not able to change independently. I by no means have a problem with nudity, but I do understand how say a 12 year old girl would not be comfortable having an 8 year old boy see her naked in the change room, or how a 7 year old boy would be horrified to have to change in front of a female class mate.

well welcome to mamapedia and telling me how to answer your question!! I didn't know there was drama about THIS - the drama has been in transgendered coming into bathrooms.

I wasn't aware of ANY cut off age. I would take my kids into the dressing room until they were 8, I think.

The pool?? When they were young (like 5 and under) they would come with me on the ladies side.

why are you stressing over this? They are your kids. You need to ensure they are safe. Do what you feel is comfortable. Personally, I think 10 and over is too old to be escorted, unless they have mental or physical issues.

I will take my kids in with me until whatever age I feel is needed. Some places I am more comfortable in then others and that changes the age in that situation. If somewhere sets an age limit I do not agree with, I will bring them in anyway and discuss it with the establishment and if need be I will no longer go there and let them know why.
Drama and "sexually remarks"? Seriously?

Why do you ask? What sort of changing room. Is your question not related to new laws made.for LG and Transgender? Hence your comment about not including sexual remarks.

We can only give a broad answer. In my experience, the child is 6 and under. If you disagree with the policy in a public place, talk to the person in charge.

Just have to ask - why?

Here, there's no set age - not that I know of.

I think it varies, and I'm not sure there are laws about it. At least there aren't around here. I think it's more common practice or the rules of the particular place. What are you looking for? The YMCA locker room, the store fitting room, or what? What experiences have you had already that prompted the question?

This is your first post here so we don't know anything about you, the ages of the kids involved, any special circumstances, etc. I do know that there's a lot of discussion about expanding the age range, because there are so many kids with autism or disabilities that make it inappropriate for them to go into their own gender's changing room.

Have you been on other sites asking about this? I wondered because you admonished us up front about keeping sexual remarks out of the answer. Have you been reprimanded before? I think there is a lot of pushback against people who are trying to make kids appear to be sexually inappropriate - and most locker rooms and bathrooms have toilets and changing areas with doors where people can disrobe in privacy. The biggest problem is bathrooms with men standing at urinals, but otherwise there are stalls.

I agree with B that family changing areas and bathrooms are becoming more in demand, partly for kids and partly for adults who require assistance from a family member of the opposite gender or those with disabilities or dementia who are accompanied by professional personal care attendants.

If you are a member of a gym or Y where this has come up, you can address it with management and see what accommodations are already being made to allow for everyone to obtain services in safety.

I'm pretty sure each place can set it's own rules. The swim school my kids go to has signs on the women's room that say "no boys over age 5." So I let my son come in until he turned 6.

I don't think there are similar signs on the men's room, but honestly haven't ever looked that closely. Just don't remember noticing them.

They do offer family changing rooms so a parent can go in with an older child if they aren't comfortable sending them in alone.

At our two neighborhood swimming pools (two different homeowner's associations), there aren't any posted rules.

I am not sure I understand. You are asking about a parent going shopping with kids then finding something they want to try on? They take the kids in the changing room with them? Or are you asking about something like going to a gym where everyone changes into workout clothes, swimsuits, and stuff?

I don't get naked in front of the kids past the age of around 2. I think those are images they don't really need.

I think if you're going shopping for clothing and you are shopping for yourself that you can find a friend or family member to take the kids so you can shop in peace. It's a much easier way to enjoy the time and get done quicker. Mother's Day Out provides this opportunity very well. I would take the kids their 1 or 2 days per week and I'd plan doc visits on those days, plan grocery shopping, and more when the kids were not with me. Saved me so much stress!

When we go to the Y to swim and I have kids with me we go into the family changing rooms and I help the little kids change. My husband and I trade off and get dressed in our own space by ourselves.

The cut off age is when YOU feel comfortable having your child wait outside for you. Anyone who has an issue with you bringing your kid in the changing room with you should be invited to sit down and stfu.

Sounds like you are referencing a pool/workout/club. Most have the cut off age of 4 years old posted on the door/wall before entering. I have seen many mothers not following this rule because it is easier for them to change their 4.5 year old son in the women's locker room. I think most dads send their daughters into the women locker room alone instead of bringing their daughter into the men's locker room. Or they just change the child with a towel out in the common area.

I have not seen any age anywhere close to 11 years old. That would be very awkward. Most tweens do not like to see adults changing nor do they want to be seen.

I agree with using your best judgement.

I never used changing rooms, I just bought clothes I liked and anything that didn't fit or wasn't liked got returned, whether it was for myself or my children.
No drama for me.

Usually about age 6. After that they should use the other changing room or the whole family can use the family changing room. If you are super worried then have them come in their bathing suit and just change in the bathroom.