Seeking advice, she turned to the British parenting site Mumsnet, explaining that her son had started to complain about going to the ladies' toilets with her.
She mentioned that she permits him to use the men's restroom in a specific location where she knows there are rarely any other individuals, as she wants to avoid him encountering grown men using urinals.
However, she expressed reservations about allowing him to do the same in busier places, such as the swimming pool or gym restrooms, due to concerns about the potential for him to encounter someone suspicious.
Commenters shared their opinions, with some suggesting she was being overly cautious and creating an issue that didn't exist, while others empathized with her concerns.
The mother explained: 'I'm sure this has been discussed before. When we're out and my boy needs the toilet, I make him come into the Ladies with me.
'Problem is, he's starting to complain about it and wants to go in the Gents on his own. I have let him do this in one particular place where there's never anyone about it, so I knew he wouldn't encounter anyone at the urinals'
She went on to say, 'He knows about the Pants rules and personal space and consent but I don't exactly want to spell out what I'm worried about. What do you tell your kids?'
The mother posted her concerns on the "Am I Being Unreasonable?" forum, asking for advice on how to discuss her reservations with her son. She clarified that she didn't want him to witness grown men using urinals or run the risk of encountering someone suspicious.
Some commenters accused her of being paranoid, suggesting that her son was too old to use the ladies' restroom with her and questioning when she would permit him to use the men's restroom alone.
One person said: You have to use your senses I suppose - I wouldn't let my 10-year-old use the station toilets recently but happy he uses the gents in the gym. By the time he gets to high school, they are all gender-neutral anyway.
A second said: I took my boys into the ladies and when they were old enough stood like a soldier looking at all the men going in until they came out. Nowadays there are family toilets or a changing room with a toilet but it is so difficult.
A third said: As a father of a 7-year-old, I would conclude wholeheartedly that the mother is paranoid.
Someone else said: Where I work they do not discriminate. Dads are allowed to take young daughters into the ladies' toilets. I agree with the policy. It's better than taking them into men's with guys using urinals.
Another said: I'm with you on this one!! Always took my son to the lady's toilets until he was 10. No one ever minded... mom just know
