Which bathroom to use?

I would sugest that they make bathrooms just for wheel chair but I know they wont do that. If he wants to ge to the mens they will jus have to shut thier eyes and you too. or get a man to do it. I have walked into a mens bathroom thinking womens door is first lololol I was more imbarassed than they were.

I would take him to the women's restroom to hell with what the other women think you are your son's caregiver and you need to assist him to the bathroom if they cant understand your situation than they are not half the woman you are

I know, that can be a difficult situation, and for your son too. I thought a while and this is what I think I would do. I'd probably ask one of the store clerks (female) or a manager, for assistance. They could go into the ladies room (or have another female employee go in) and see if there's anybody already in there. Then when the coast was clear she could wait at the outer door to let other females know there is a mother in there with an older male child in a wheelchair that needs her help. I think most adult women would understand and kindly wait their turn to use the restroom. On the way out I'd be sure to offer a smile to those waiting their turn, as well as a thank you. Another thing I thought of was something we used to use in nursing for elderly male patients, called a Texas catheter. That fits on the outside of his 'maleness' and has a tube that goes down to a bag strapped onto his leg. They hold a lot and can be quickly emptied and are handy for containing urinary output during outings and travelings and such.

I would take him into whichever bathroom was easier for him. I would not mind a disabled man coming into the ladies room--he's obviously not there to leer but to use the best facilities or he has a female helper who can't go in the men's. I can kind of understand men not wanting you to take him in theirs because the way their bathrooms are made, there isn't much that's hidden when you walk in!

bLESS your heart, u have a time. I have not got that decision tomake but i think i would go into the ladies & tell everyone i was bringing my son in & if they didn't like it they could leave. A friend of mine who has cancer got stuck in a public bathroom & couldn't get up by herself & had to call her son on his cell to come in & help her. She said she just spoke up in a loud voice & told everyone her son was coming into help her. If people can't understand your problem to heck w/them.

For me I would rather recommend you to buy one of those urine catchers that is often use in hospitals for those patients who have a hard time going to the bathroom, although your son is not in bed but in a wheelchair you can teach him to use one of those urine catchers and instruct him to go to a corner in a bathroom and start using the urine catcher and after urinating you could pour the urine in a bowl. You can use the urine catcher if the bathroom is not that big enough to for his wheelchair to fit through. Its up to you to decide hehe I just wanted to help. ^ ^

I can see where that would be a problem. I would start looking for places that have what they are designating as family bathrooms. These are often wheelchair or stroller accessible, one stool, and have a door that can be locked. I would look for the least busy restroom, and ask management, if available to assist if I needed to use the bathroom.

that's a good question. see,my dad was wheelchair bound,but the issue never came up because he refused to use public bathrooms.(and i can't say i blame him). i would say just take him into the women's stall unless he doesn't like the idea. once the door's closed,the other women in there should mind their own business honestly. i mean,what do they expect you to do otherwise?the child has to go.

You are in a really awkward spot. I would probably take him into the woman's bathroom. At least they have stalls with doors and most of them have at least one stall at the end that is wheel chair accessible. I would not want to go into the men's room with him. That would be too awkward. Is he mentally challenged as well or can he tell you how he feels about the situation?

thoroughrob if there are any women who are so cold hearted that they would be upset at a handicapped fifteen yr old having to use the womens restroom cubicle, they should be horsewhipped, no for heaven's sakes use the womens room if you must, all women will understand his plight, we have had to do this a few times in the womens room in t he library where I used to wo rk, and I never found any woman who was in that place to be at all upset Most women are kind hearted. Like I say the one who might be miffed will just have to putup or shut up. my heart goes out to you and your son too. good luck God bless.

In Australia we have bathrooms especially for wheelchairs and I was not aware that your public restrooms don’t have that which is very surprising. In that case I would take him to the ladies toilets so you can help him and the women in there will just have to understand that you are the only one who can assist your son as he cannot do this on his own. Personally I would not have a problem to see a young man in his situation in the female restrooms with his mother; I think most would understand and the ones who don’t have a problem! I honestly would not concern myself with offending anyone; you are doing what you have to take care of your son...I wish you all the best...

I would defintitely use the womens bathroom. And quite frankly whoever doesnt like it too bad. He obviously needs assistance.. I wouldnt mind if I saw you in the womens bathroom with your son. He is apparently in a wheel chair which is a good cause to be in there with you. I can definitely see your concern.. I must say that I am not it your situation but that is terrible that most bathrooms are not suitable for him. You would think in this day and age that most bathrooms would be able to fit a wheel chair

I feel for you,your son, and your dilema. I would feel more comfortable taking him into the ladies room, but I think that it should be more about which one makes your son more comfortable. I am sure that at 15 he doesn't relish the idea of going to the ladies room. If he chose to go to the men's room, you could always send a store employee in first to check it out for you. Lock the door once your in there if possible. I don't understand why women would get upset at him coming into the ladies room. There are stalls and unless they are standing outside one, butt naked, your son is not going to see anything of a "personal" nature. I dont think that you will be able to avoid offending all the people no matter which one you choose to use. I think that anyone having a problem with you being a proper parent and assisting your child should be ashamed of themselves. It is my prayer that you will always find a sympathetic person to help you and your son whenever you need one.

I would take him into the ladies room. The Ladies room has all stalls, and the mens room doesn't. In the stalls at least you'd have some privacy and you wouldn't have to worry about offending someone. I think women would be more compassionate than men anyway, and would be more gracious about it. I am handicapped also and most people are very nice and helpful to me. If you do run into someone that has a problem with it, it's their problem not yours. You are just taking care of your son! I was at one park that had a mens, ladies, and handicapped bathroom. I didn't really see the need for a seperate bathroom at the time, but in a case like yours it would be perfect!

I have noticed public bathrooms labeled as "family". That would solve your problem. However, they are still few. Perhaps there are more in this locale because there are more men taking care of their families while their wives are deployed.

I think that there should be more places that are equipped with a family bathroom for situations like this. I don't see them very often, but I'll tell you I am a lot more comfortable with them for my son whom I am potty training right now than taking him in the ladies room. However, they aren't always available so I would take him in the ladies room whether the other women liked it or not because he does need help and you definitely wouldn't be comfortable going in the mens room. At least in the ladies room everyone is in different stalls with their own individual doors.

I could see where this would be an uncomfortable situation for both of you. Your son might feel a little uneasy going into a ladies room and you would feel the same going into a mens room. One thing you could do is go into the ladies room first and see if it was empty and if so, put a note on the door that there is a disabled boy in a wheelchair in the restroom. Anyone that didn't feel right about going in could simple wait a few minutes. Likewise if your son would prefer to use the mens room, he could go in first to see if it was clear, hang a note warning there's a woman in the mens room to help her wheelchair bound son, and then make use of the facilities. Just remember to remove the note when you're done or there might be a group of squirming, angry people waiting outside of the door!