Mike, Annie, and I were out running errands this weekend, as we are wont to do. We went to the mall so I could finally return a pair of shoes that didn’t work for Miss Annie’s feet. I managed to wait until the last possible day to return them per the return/exchange policy of the store. I’m so good at procrastinating. We walked into the store and it was packed – a Presidents Day sale, yaaay. I was the seventh person in line, and after waiting for a few minutes, I looked over at Mike and Annie. Annie was, predictably, grabbing every item off the rack, handing it to Mike, and saying, “Wear it! Annie wear it!”
tiny fashionista
I immediately knew Mike was not going to survive. I told them to head to the food court and I’d meet up with them. Off they went while I waited in the World’s Slowest Checkout OMG ™.
When I finally walked out of there fifteen minutes later (it felt like fifteen hours) I was surprised to see Mike and Annie walking towards me. Mike had a weird look on his face, but Annie looked fine.
“What’s wrong? You didn’t want to get anything at the food court?”
“Some lady just yelled at me and then she went to the food court so I didn’t want to go there.”
“WHAT?! A lady yelled at you?!”
After Mike and Annie had left me in the store, they’d walked the length of the mall to where a food court/kid play area is (or as I like to call it, the Germ Store). Mr. Massive Diet Coke Consumption needed to use the bathroom, so he took Annie with him into the men’s room. Upon leaving, a woman stopped him and said, “I can’t believe you took that little girl with you into the MEN’S ROOM. Think about all the things she just saw!” and then she TSK’d TSK’d him.
So I asked him if he gave her a headbutt (if I was as tall as Mike, I would headbutt all the time), and he replied, “No, I said, ‘What was I supposed to do, leave her outside?’ and she said back, ‘Try not going to the bathroom until you get home,‘ and then she walked over to the pizza counter and I wanted pizza but I couldn’t wait in line behind her so we came back here.”
I immediately wanted to go to the food court so I could see this woman and tell her to chill out but Mike was firmly against this. He started to fret that he had done something wrong by taking Annabel into the bathroom with him but I told him that was ridiculous. Mike’s tiny lady bladder could never wait until he got home – ever. He carried her into the stall with him and carried her out, and she is TWO FREAKING YEARS OLD jeeez.
When I suggested to him that Annie probably had no idea what was even going on, he said, “well, when I flushed the toilet she yelled, ‘BYE DADA PEE PEE!’ so I think she understands the basics.”
Two days later and Mike is still worried that he has scarred Annie for life. I, on the other hand, am going to hunt down that woman and headbutt her.
Mrs. Flinger says:
HAHA. “I think she understands the basics”
How is it that she knows this already? She was born YESTERDAY.
Mrs. Flinger says:
Oh, and P.S. People are stupid all over the place. If I see her *I* will head butt her for you.
Britt W says:
Heather needs a like button. I’d like this. Massively.
Janet says:
That woman has issues. My brother and takes his 2 and a half old daughter in the restroom with him if he needs to!
Nelly says:
Ugh! I hate it when people feel the need to give judgey parenting advice to total strangers! I don;t even have kids and it bugs me.
I was once watching my friends little boy while she had a haircut, we were sat in a cafe, I can’t remember how old he was but still a baby, maybe just starting to toddle about. He was drinking juice from a bottle as he couldn’t hold a sippy cup yet and this old woman at the next table gave me a HUGE lecture about how damaging it was to give him that particular brand of juice in a bottle… I felt awful!
If he had been my kid I might have said something back but I didn’t know if what she was saying was true so I just mumbled and spluttered and got up and left. So embarrassed.
Katrien says:
I have a hard time convincing my husband that it is ok for our (just turned) 3-year old girl to see us in the bathroom, shower, etc … I personally think that it is good to show her ‘real’ people and make sure her view of ‘naked’ people is not based on what she’ll see on TV (WAY WAY into the future!). Could only help her get a healthy body-image. This woman is clearly a bit of a prude …
Gwen says:
I used to have to take my son in with me cause, yeah..not leaving him OUTSIDE. A.) he isn’t scarred for life. B.) If Annie was a boy and YOU took her into the stall with you no one would bat an eye, which I think is just so sad. That woman is projecting her own hang ups on something innocent and normal. I’d have wanted to head butt her too.
Laryssa says:
THIS. Exactly! If it was Heather who took a little boy into the women’s bathroom, that woman wouldn’t have said a word.
Maria says:
what an idiot. [the lady of course].
Steph says:
I think it’s completely fine. That woman is a prude. And Mike totally did the right thing. Here in Australia, we have family rooms for breast feeding and situations like this. As someone mentioned above, no one blinks when women take little boys into the women’s toilet. People need to mind their own business and keep their thoughts to themselves.
Relax Mike! You did the right thing. Annie is fine and you’re a great dad! Don’t let the bitch undermine or make you second guess yourself.
Amy K says:
So what does this woman think is going to happen when little toddler Annie is potty trained and is out somewhere with her dad and needs to use the toilet? Not all places have those handy family bathrooms (although most malls do, for future reference). Is she supposed to hold it until she gets home, too, or should Mike just refrain from ever taking her anywhere without you until she’s old enough to use the ladies’ room alone? Or was she only worried about Annie seeing Mike peeing, not about her being in the men’s room in general? Ugh. Either way, she was a nimrod who deserved a headbutt.
Jenny says:
Where is Mike supposed to change Annie’s diaper, or should she hold it, too? What a nimrod. Annie isn’t scarred. Mike might be, but Annie is fine.
Michelle says:
Please tell Mike not too worry. My husband has done it many times with our girls especially if he is the only one out with them and they have to go. Cause if you have to go, you have to go. There’s no waiting! People are CRAZY!
Sara says:
Geez Louise! My husband has taken our now 5 year old girl into the bathroom whenever necessary. Sometimes they go out together, without me, and crazily enough, one or both of them will have to pee. Or even if I’m there he will sometimes take her to the bathroom without me! Because he’s a dad and that’s what you do. That lady is stupid.
Most people are good. This lady lacks both common sense and the ability to filter between her brain and mouth. Grrr……
Shawna says:
Wow–I never would have thought someone would have a spaz attack over that! We do the same thing with our 2.5 year old daughter. It’s not like my husband stands her next to urinals doing running commentary for people! Mike should have asked that lady if she was shopping for anything special–sounds like she should have been getting a life while she was out
Ginny says:
Nope, there was NOTHING wrong with taking Annie into the men’s room. Mike’s an awesome father so I hope he won’t let that old prude make him question himself any further. My friend’s pediatrician said that after the age of 4 is when family members of the opposite sex should begin covering up around a child. Now, that is also just one person’s opinion but it came from a pediatrician. I’d listen to the doctor before I listened to any nosy jerk near the mall bathrooms!
Kaye says:
I have two little boys and a husband who worked a lot, so I took the boys with me everywhere when they were younger (they are seven and nine now). I had no choice but to take them into the women’s bathroom with me, especially when they were potty-training. I had no choice but to take them with me when I had to go as well.
Not once did I ever hear a complaint about it. Matter of fact, there were many other mom’s doing the same thing with their little boys as well. Tell Mike he did nothing wrong, he did what any parent would do. Seriously, what else was he supposed to do? The fact that she said to hold it until he gets home cracks me up. She must have a camel bladder if she can do that- and who knows how long it was until you were going home? She’s obviously not living in reality.
Procrastamom says:
Up until my son was about 10, I wouldn’t let him go into the men’s bathroom alone. I would make him use the family bathroom (single room with a lock) when he was too old to come into the women’s with me. I know it was kind of me being a helicopter, but there had been a few incidents in the media of men attacking boys in public washrooms. He’s 14 now and I still stand outside the men’s room and fret while he’s in there. (she says with a red face)
Meyli says:
The NERVE of some people! Going to the bathroom is something everyone does – it is NOT a big deal! (Though, most of us want privacy when we go)
Theres nothing wrong with having your kid with you. Exactly as Mike said, what were you supposed to do? Leave her outside?!
And I bet that woman would have brought her son into the restroom with her, so why give a father the 3rd degree for bringing his daughter?
If your kids old enough to say EW Thats gross!! I don’t want to be in here!! Then maybe try to leave them outside/with someone else. But come on. Its just the bathroom.
Dregina says:
What on earth does that woman think goes on in men’s bathrooms? She’s ridiculous!
Tamela says:
Wow, what an IDIOT. I would have head-butted her too.
statia says:
My older “baby” is going to be five in a few weeks and I STILL take him into the ladies room if we’re out by ourselves. Maybe it’s a double standard, but even my daughter, who is closer to three, will still go in the bathroom with my husband. Hell, I’ll even bring my kids into the girls locker room. I don’t trust anyone, where I’d let him into a mens room, or boys locker room by himself yet.
Also, I just asked my husband, and he said he has no issues with taking our daughter into the mens room, and that woman has seriously deep seeded control issues, and probably other ones too.
Bria says:
What a dumbass!! It was totally none of that lady’s business so how dare she say ANYTHING to Mike! Grrrr!!! (Even though it’s also none of my business, I don’t see anything wrong with what Mike did)
Megan says:
You have mentioned Annie is tall for her age, so I wonder if the woman thought she was more like 3 or 4. That still wouldn’t justify her reaction, though. What else was Mike going to do? Besides that, how does this scar Annie for life? Gee, we have bodies, we all pee, and men and women have different parts. Yeah, teaching a child about natural things, sounds really scary to me!
She’s probably the same kind of person who would just let her daughters find out about sex, puberty and periods from her friends.
Tracey says:
OMG! He did the right thing and he was not supposed to leave her outside! A lot of men have to take their daughters in with them. If she was potty training and had to go where did this woman think he would have gone with her??? More places do need to have family restrooms, but if there are not then the parent needs to take the child with them to the appropriate restroom. Too many stories about children being abducted or molested if they are sent in alone (when they are older). I made my son go with us to the ladies room until he was at least 7!
People need to get over it!
Angie says:
I am completely paranoid about public restrooms! My middle children are 8 (girl) and 6 (boy); when I am out with the younger kids, I am very uncomfortable letting the boy into a public restroom by himself. I either lurk very close to the door ( risking people thinking I am a child stalker!) or make him wait until I can find a family bathroom. The 8 year old uses the girls’ locker room by herself when her dad takes her to swimming, and that makes me nervous! This will be the first summer when the 6 year old has to go to the gender-appropriate locker room at our pool and I’m not looking forward to it. A 2 year old HAS TO go to the restroom with whichever parent they are with no questions asked!
Amber says:
Wow. That woman is clearly insane. No doubt she’d have yelled at him too if he left her outside (a MUCH worse idea). It’s not like a men’s restroom is a strip club. Mike, if ya gotta go ya gotta go. Next time, do the same thing–take her into the stall with you and don’t make a big deal out of it. My grandmother used to make my brother cover his eyes if she had to take into the restroom, but I think that’s a bad idea. I say, don’t draw any attention to it being a “strange” situation. Don’t make any big deal about it at all and just go about your business.
But man…that woman. My dad was basically a single parent (my mom was disabled) so no doubt he had no choice but to bring me with him too. If I had been in mike’s shoes, I don’t think I would be able to resist telling her off.
Robyn says:
OMG. Dads go to the bathroom too?!?!? And your daughter KNOWS this!?!?!?
Whatever!
Not only was that woman completely out of line but she was WRONG. Mike should not have waited until he got home and there is no problem with Annie going into the bathroom with him.
That judgey hag needed to keep her redonkulous taboos to herself.
The
Terri says:
Mike did nothing wrong! My husband had to take our daughter in the mens room in Dec/Jan so she could use the potty. I had surgery and wasn’t able to lift her up on the potty at all, and we didn’t want her climbing up there without paper on it. so he would take her in the mens room. I’m positive he nor Mike would let their girls “see anything!” . That lady has major issues!
Lauren says:
So it’s perfectly acceptable for a woman to bring her son into the restroom but not the other way around? That is total nonsense!
People need to mind their own business.
cindy w says:
Ok, so hypothetically, when Annie is potty-trained, and she’s out & about with Mike and you happen to not be there, and Annie needs to use the restroom, what the eff is Mike supposed to do then? Bust up into the ladies’ room with her? Of course not, she’ll go into the men’s room with him.
That woman totally deserved head-butting.
P.S. “Bye Dada pee-pee!” made me laugh a lot. That girl is awesome.
Barbara says:
Apparently that woman has never heard the term mind your own business! Who the heck does she think she is anyway. Mike did nothing wrong and really what horrible things could she have seen in a men’s room anyway? Everybody goes to the bathroom and its better to have a health attitude about it than be worried about waiting to get home. I don’t get the whole make a big deal out of seeing body parts anyway. I mind a little boy who is nine and an only child and he has never scene girl exclusive body parts in his life and is very curious to know how girls are different than boys and now its becoming almost an obsession and not in a good way. His mother is horrified at the thought that he might see my teenage daughter by accident. It wouldn’t be an accident it would be because he would be peeking. My daughter is the middle child between four brothers and we are not nudists by any means but its not uncommon for her to be walking around in a long T-shirt and panties just as its not uncommon for the boys to be waking around in boxers and nobody cares. I have offered this little boys mother books that well explain things in an age appropriate manner and that have pictures which by the way are on the kids bookshelves in my house although according to her they should be locked up. I even offered to talk to him myself and raising four boys as a single mother I have a little experience but she was was all no he’s too young. He’s even approached me with questions and I have to tell him his mom doesn’t want me to talk to him about those kind of things. I have two little granddaughters and she even asked me not to change their diapers if he was in the same room how messed up is that? He recently asked his mom when he would see what girls look like ad she told him his wife would show him when he got married. In my opinion this is way more unhealthy than taking a little girl into the men’s room or a little boy into the ladies room
Gwen says:
I know I’m only echoing what others are saying, but maybe the consensus will make Mike feel better? That lady is crazy, and she should keep her mouth shut. Of COURSE he had to take her to the men’s room with him. My husband regularly takes our 4.5 year old twins with him. If a dad takes care of his kids, sooner or later someone’s going to have to pee. That’s just the way it goes. There is nothing wrong with taking your kids with you to the bathroom. Geez, people need to mind their own business.
Adrianne says:
That really makes me mad. On Mike’s behalf, but also on the behalf of all dads out there. And we wonder why some men aren’t more involved with their kids.
Idiot ladies like that are why. How sad.
Kellie says:
My kids are 23 and 20 now, so it’s been a long time since I had to deal with this – but I agree the woman needs a good head butting. I can’t tell you the number of times I brought both my daughter and son into the bathroom with me if we were out someplace. I didn’t just leave them by the sinks and go off to do my thing – they went in the stall with me. 99% of the time I managed to get the handicap stall which was much bigger so they didn’t have to just about sit on my lap while I peed – but the point is, it only takes a second and they are gone. THAT would scar them a whole lot more than the possibility of catching a glimpse of someone peeing … something we ALL do. Oh the horror. Even if a place had a “family” restroom – I would take them in the stall … I know someone who encountered a very sick person in a family restroom … like, the kind of person that’s not legally allowed to answer the door during trick-or-treating. Weirdos are everywhere. Screw up. If Mike ever encounters that sort of mentality again – I hope he goes off on them.
mccgoods says:
That lady is nuts, and I am short so I wouldn’t be able to head butt her so I will just kick her in the shins.
I think Mike did the right thing but it doesn’t matter to me. I think Mike did the best/right thing for YOUR FAMILY and that’s all that matters. Chin up Mike.
Emily says:
Poor Mike! I can understand why you wanted to go find that woman! I seriously have to laugh at what that woman thinks goes on in the men’s room! It’s not like guys are walking around, pants down, showing each other or anything! So should Mike have left his two year old daughter outside the bathroom alone to wait?! Or what if he had to change Annie’s diaper, should he have told her to hold it in too? Women bring little boys (of all ages!) into the women’s room ALL the time and no one even bats an eye! How is it fair that the opposite isn’t okay?!
Emily says:
I also had to add that I cracked up at “BYE DADA PEE PEE” Love her!
Lisa says:
Good thing she didn’t say that to my husband. She would have gotten told off with inappropriate words, and then headbutted. Maybe twisted into a pretzel.
Mike did nothing wrong. He did everything right. Minus not headbutting her of course
giselle says:
Mike did nothing wrong. Stupid lady.
Angela says:
Whaaaaaat? What does the woman think happens in men’s restrooms in malls? Does she think they all linger around naked like in a steam bath?
Allow me to join in the chorus of “Mike did the right thing”.
Heather says:
So this woman tried to “out Mike’s ignorance” because he took her into the bathroom. What if he was a single dad? What if you were immobile and could never take her to the bathroom on your own and he always had to do it? To me, she’s the one who outed her own ignorance. It’s just a bathroom. What you SHOULD HAVE DONE was gone and found Everbody Poops and brought it to her as a lovely parting gift. It’s just a bathroom for crying out loud. It’s not like dudes hang out in there with their pants down for the heck of it.
Don’t worry about it, Mike. You didn’t do anything wrong.
Shannon O says:
I think Mike is just fine for taking her with him. I would hand my daughter to my husband when he was showering sometimes (when she was Annie’s age), so he could rinse her off and wash her hair. I don’t think he started being “more modest” around her until she was 5 or 6.
I think we live in a world where men are over-stressed about proper behavior around their daughters because of the perverts that we see on the news. It’s not like he took her into a football locker room filled with tons of naked men. That woman is just being ridiculous.
Lora says:
I vote for head-butting.
The Stupid Lady (as she shall now be known) probably came from a generation when Dads didn’t do awesome things like walk their daughters around the mall and spend tons of quality time with them. Mike had every right to go to the bathroom. Stupid Lady is wrong.
The End.
Lena says:
I want to headbutt her, too. As if parenting isn’t hard enough. My husband brings our three year old in the bathroom with him all the time. I’ve never heard of such a rediculous reaction to a perfectly normal thing.
RC says:
And what was Mike supposed to do if Annie had to pee? I know she isn’t potty trained yet but she will be in the next year. So then what? Make her wait to pee until she gets home? For crying out loud that woman is an idiot.
AngieM. says:
that woman is stupid.
Lisa says:
And what would she have said if he went into the Ladies room?? What a jackass! I would have told her off in a hot second. Of course he has to take her into the mens room. She will not be scarred for life. I have a 4 y/o daughter and I HATE that my husband has to take her into the mens room, cause some men are CREEPY. But what else could he do? There are NO other options. Reminds me of a stupid lady I encountered a couple of yrs ago. Off topic- but a lady once totally barked at me for reading a magazine and then putting it back while in a check out line.
I turned around and asked her if she has ever been to a effing library before?? And to shut her effing mouth. Some people just need to be told off, it gets easier as I get older. And Mike will build up his skin with these rude people. Kinda like the yelling at other peoples kids thing.
You just dont care after a few little Johnnie’s throw balls at Annie’s head at the playground, little Johnnie needs to be told whats up. And maybe his parents too. Good luck.
Jenn says:
OOHH Mike….NO WORRIES my friend!!!
Do you know how many times I have taken my 2 boys into the Women’s bathroom and how many times Brian has taken our Sydney in the boys???? L-O-T-S !!!
YOU DID NOTHING WRONG MIKE….NOTHING!!!! You know what’s stupid? I bet she would NOT have said 1 flipping word if it was Heather who brought your 2 yr old son into the Women’s bathroom!!
Be PROUD of yourself Mike….you did EVERYTHING Right!!!
Jenny says:
So glad to see everybody thinking the same way as me! Is there something exciting happening in the men’s bathroom that I didn’t know about? Are all the men running around with their pants down, wiggling away at each other? No? Then ummm what the heck? I’d say it’s pretty awesome seeing a dad out with his daughter, and by saying a man can’t take his daughter into the restroom with him would imply he shouldn’t take her out period (cause um, yeah, my husband has a lady bladder, too).
I hope that lady is a blog reader. Here’s a head butt!!
Shan says:
Some people need to mind their own damned business. She needs to be off worrying about child abusers or something serious not this type of frivolous crap. A headbutt won’t do..but a swift kick in the ass might. Also..the picture..adorbs!
Trisha says:
Wait until you get home?? What a freaking moron this lady was. Mike did everything right. It’s not like he had her propped up by the urinals watching everybody pee.
Little boys go into the ladies room, little girls go into the mens room. It’s better than telling your 2 year old kid to wait outside and then someone snatches them.
I want to head butt this lady for you!
Tami says:
First I love the picture of Annie. Second people really need to learn to mind their own business on how parents handle their kids when its time to take them to the potty. The man takes the small girl to the mens restroom here all the time. Mike you did nothing wrong. Next time tell her to mind her own business and go get a life!! Or tell her to go find her a pickle to suck!!
Glenda says:
Love miss fashionista!
Mike is the one that is traumatized / scarred for life
I’m sure Annie will be just fine. It happens. She will never remember being 2 and in a men’s restroom.
Next time tell the lady to mind her own business!! or tell her “no one asked your opinion” and walk away. I am like Heather, I would want to hunt her down and give her a piece of my mind.
Procrastamom says:
I would have hunted her down any ways, much to my husband’s embarrassment (in that case, he probably wouldn’t have told me what happened…he knows I would do it). Some people are so ridiculous.
Laura says:
She was an idiot. Mike did the absolute right thing. It is shocking how dumb people can be sometimes.
Two stories for you: 1. Once recently while put with my two boys, a dad asked me to take his little girl potty for him because he didn’t want her in the men’s room with him. I awkwardly said yes, but wondered how in the world he knew I was trustworthy to take his daughter! I guess because I had children with me? I didn’t know why he couldn’t just take her in the stall in the men’s room with him, it seemed way safer than trusting a stranger! Also, juggling 3 kids under 3 in the women’s room was SUPER fun! But anywho….
Story number 2 (pun intended): Many years ago I was at Target with my then 3-year old brother and had to use the women’s room. So I took him in the stall with me, because what else are you gonna do, and he hears lots of *ahem* noise in the stall next to us, so he sticks his head under the stall and yells as loud as he could, “OH, YOU GOIN’ POO-POO?! GOOD JOB!!!!!”, and the whole restroom erupts in laughter. Not embarrassing for that poor woman, at all.
You guys are doing an awesome job with Annie, don’t you worry one bit!
Becca_Masters says:
kids say the darndest things eh. that cracked me up.
Katie says:
What a weird woman.. not just to think that what Mike did was wrong but then to come out and accuse him straight to his face, as if it was anything to do with her!
My dad used to take me to swimming lessons when I was little, and until I could shower and dress myself I would go to the mens’ changing room with him, which had open showers and no changing cubicles – just long benches. Not scarred, as far as I can tell.
Autumn Canter says:
That woman was insane. It’s just going pee and it doesn’t matter about parts difference. I still go to the bathroom in front of my kids (4 (boy) and 1 (girl)) and I am certainty not going to leave them unattended when I have to go. Peeing is natural and children shouldn’t be taught to be ashamed of it.
I’ve had hilarious conversations with my son. Such as “Mommy, where is your pep (what he calls his penis)?” and “Why are you so hairy down there?” And I always just try to answer him truthfully. He’s also told me, “Mom, you pee out of your butt.” I started asking for privacy when he turned 3 but he still will often barge in. We have no locks in our house (he kept locking himself in rooms when he was a toddler).
Falison says:
The only thing you did wrong Mike, was failure to connect your boot to that ‘woman’s’ a$$!!!
Amy Collen says:
I have absolutely no patience or tolerance for people that do this. It is extremely rude and inappropriate. These people are used to saying what they want and throwing their opinion around. It is our job as proud Americans to just as equally put them in their place. Arguing with them (for example explaining the reason why you took her with you) is not an option for they will just argue back. Besides she doesn’t need to know. A simple “ma’am you need to mind your own business.” I also liked the no one asked your opinion one too. My favorite, “Well, by your tone it’s obvious that it’s something YOU haven’t seen in a long time! You poor poor dear!” LOL! You can also just laugh at her and walk away. Sometimes people need to be knocked down a few pegs. I say this because these are the same type of people who make disparaging remarks about special needs kiddos.
Brandy says:
I would headbutt her! What a ridiculous person. My husband takes our daughter to the bathroom when it’s necessary. Jeez. Some people just can’t mind their own business.
Becca_Masters says:
that woman is mad. what exactly was Mike supposed to do? Annie is 2! it’s not like she is going to be all “it’s cool dad, i’ll wait for you out here”.
sheesh.
I wonder if she would have said the same thing to a woman coming out of the womans bathroom with a 2 year old boy? probably not.
what is wrong with people?!?!
mccgoods says:
LOL “It’s cool Dad I will for you out here” LOL
Sherry says:
The combination of your story and your writing absolutely make me laugh. His “woman-sized bladder”, world’s slowest checkout line (HAD to be THe Children’s Place, am I right???!??!), and the headbutting. Oh my gosh, that was such a good laugh!
I think Annie has at least another year before she could be scarred by something like going into a men’s restroom, after that I think Mike is going to have to forego any coke drinking before any outings.
Becca_Masters says:
http://www.bexleytimes.co.uk/news/children_raped_in_the_toilets_of_welling_mcdonald_s_by_known_paedophile_1_758809
THIS is why it is NOT ok to let your kids go to the bathroom alone.
When I am a parent, if I go to the bathroom my kid will come with me, regardless if they are a boy or girl. and my husband says the same thing.
even when they are older I’ll still go with them to the bathroom. you can NEVER be too safe when it comes to your kids.
val says:
The only thing Mike did wrong is not telling that woman to shut her trap and mind her own goddamned business. People like that need to be shut down immediately, lest they think their stupid opinions actually matter.
hdj says:
bathroom rules for a dad with kids
1. Dad is allowed to take a girl into the ladies room (awkward as it might be)
2. Dad is also allowed to take the kids into the men’s room (into the stall).
3. If there is one of those family bathrooms like at our Target, use that.
People are stupid. He should have had Annie headbutt that busybody lady!
Samantha says:
I take my SON with me in the Womens restroom ALL the time. What else are we supposed to do? What about the little girls who do not have mothers??? What are the Fathers supposed to then, never take thier child out? Why is THIS even her business or an issue in this day in age?
Kristin says:
Tell Mike that he didn’t do anything wrong and that woman was just a know it all bitch who was full of assvice.
elizabeth says:
This reminds me of my dad so much!
Once when I was little my dad went to go to the bathroom at our home and I walked right in. I was two or three and he worried forever that because I was in the bathroom while he was peeing that I’d be scarred and have some kind of issue.
I don’t remember it at all ;b I do however remember shopping with him while my mom was sick and quietly asking him to buy me maxi pads. He was scarred for life and I was mortified…especially standing in the aisle while he panicked because there were so many LOL just wait for those days, Mike!
TonyaM says:
Poor Mike! I’ll never understand why some people think it’s ok to give unsolicited parenting advice. My Mom’s the Queen of that, but I digress…..the last old lady who saw fit to offer me her input ended up wishing she hadn’t. Didn’t expect this mama bear to go on the attack….verbally, of course.
I wish Mike had said, “Well, at most, she may have seen a PENIS or two. What’s the problem?” Maybe I’m the weird one, but I grew up in a home where nudity wasn’t a huge deal. We didnt parade all around, but if a body part was seen on the way from the bedroom to the shower….so what. My dad would strip down in the garage after mowing and make a dash through the house to the shower all of my life. No biggie. At all. Some of my fondest memories of my grandma involve me chatting with her as she took a bath. My brother and I shared a bathroom until I left home after college. It was nothing for him to be using the shower as I put on my make-up at the vanity. And I never thought a thing of it until I started dating my husband and used the bathroom one time when my brother was bathing. When I came out, he was mortified that I’d used the bathroom while my brother was in there. And I was all, “What?! That’s my baby brother! I changed his diapers!” I think people need to chill about the whole nudity thing. And I KNOW people need to MYOB when it comes to letting other parents PARENT unless a child is in danger, which clearly that little princess is not.
And that picture?! OMG. I could eat her up.
adrienne says:
is this the same kind of lady that think that changing tables should only be in the female’s bathroom???
like you said – she’s two! how rude! (of that lady, of course! grrr)
Opus says:
Two stories. I am not a mom, but love kids. Many years ago I had a friend who was a single mom to a little boy. She had him potty-trained before he was three. I took him to Burger King by myself and he said he had to go potty. So I took him to the ladies room, put him in the stall and held the door. He asked for help because he was too short to pee into the toilet. I had no clue (I have no brothers, either) so I picked him up and held him over the toilet – never even occurred to me to set him on it. Doh!
Just yesterday I was in a big box store using the facilities. A woman came in with her son. They both had to go so they went in a stall together. She’s telling him to go already. So he did, apparently all over the seat of the toilet. Oops. She yelled at him up and down for that one. Then she went. I finally finished and they were washing their hands. Turns out she had two boys with her, one maybe kindergarten age and the other much younger. I don’t know which one she had been yelling at. Plus there was another older boy standing outside the door where she had instructed him to wait and don’t move.
What age is appropriate for a child to go to a public bathroom alone? I realize that they have to be able to undo and do up their clothing and tall enough to use the facilities. Kids have to learn how to do this sometime so when is the right time?
Sonya aka Glam-O-Mommy says:
What a judgmental idiot. Mike did absolutely the right thing. My husband takes Sophie to the bathroom in public with him. I see little boys in the women’s restroom all the time! What is the difference? It is a safety issue and a health issue! Mike and Annie have to go to the bathroom, they go. No one should EVER leave their child, especially a toddler, unattended outside a bathroom or send them in to a bathroom alone! That woman must be out of her mind! You did the right thing Mike!
Lindsay from Boston says:
Ridiculous!!!! The woman’s line “Think of all the things she just saw in there!” made me laugh out loud. Call the counselors for any girl who has to go into the restroom wit her dad; she may have caught a glimpse of *GASP* the human body and is clearly scarred for life!!!
Good grief. It’s the human body, no big deal. I still remember my little sister barging into the bathroom when she was around Annie’s age before my Dad could get his towel around him. She looked a little shocked for a second (hilariously so) and was like, “Daddy, what’s THAT?!” He was matter-of-fact, not embarrassed at all, and so my sister didn’t have to be either. “Oh, ok, Daddy!” and she went on her way. To act any differently would suggest there’s something to be ashamed of when it comes to the body (or, in the case of this post, what the body needs to do to take care of itself). THAT is unhealthy for a kid.
Rest easy, Mike. You did NOTHING wrong.
Rebecca says:
Makes me wonder about that woman’s life…..to think bringing a 2 year old into the men’s room is somehow damaging.
She is bat$h!t crazy.
Abigail says:
Oh for heavens sake. As thankfully many, many people said before me Mike did absolutely nothing wrong. Bodies aren’t dirty or wrong. It’s a bathroom not the red light district.
Karen says:
Oh the horror of human anatomy! Sheesh. You did nothing wrong at all, Mike. I vote with Heather on a headbutt for the butthead
Kayla says:
Oh what was he supposed to do, wet his pants? Or leave his two year old outside the bathroom by herself? Moron! I’ll headbutt her for you, Heather. Geez.
KimB says:
I would have bitch-slapped her. Well, maybe not, but I would have told her what I thought of her stupid suggestions.
GreenInOC says:
I think that situations like these call for comments worthy of stunning the commenter silent. Some examples:
1. “Oh, she didn’t see anything – there’s nothing more than a thimble to see.”
2. “Oh, she didn’t see anything – she’s going blind.”***
3. “Oh, she didn’t see anything – I was in a bad car accident and I don’t have anything left.”
4. “Don’t worry, I sit when I pee. What about you – do you stand or sit?”
5. “She didn’t see anything, I had to take a HUGE dump so I was sitting.”
6. “She anything? We were having a picnic lunch, what could she have seen that’s so bad?”
7. “Don’t worry, I blindfolded her.”
8. “Yeah, I just had to go in there to fart, nothing else. It was bad, ooooh, I feel another one on it’s way…”
***I know a very quick thinking person whose toddler was bowlegged. A woman stopped her at the grocery store and loudly proclaimed, “OH, my gosh – what’s wrong with your kid’s legs?! What are you doing to him?? Has he been to the doctor? Are you worried? Will he EVER be normal?”. The reply was, in a sad tone, “He’s got Polio.”. Commenter’s jaw dropped and she slunk away.
Laura says:
My friend’s three year old was mad at her dad for some reason. He got out of the shower and she walked in and BIT HIM IN THE BALLS! (we assume because it was level with her mouth). She’s not scarred. He may be. LOL! I think what Mike did was totally acceptable. I hate nosy people like that. I always tell them off if they open their fat mouths.
GreenInOC says:
@Laura, BEST laugh all day!!
Becca_Masters says:
This made me laugh!
Bonna says:
The woman really need to mind her own business. What was he to do? As long as she was not screaming to indicate something may be wrong, a dad has the authority and the right to take his daughter to the restroom. What if he were her only parent and they are out and about and she has to go? Are they to remain in the house until she is a teen so he can leave her outside to wait for him? Puh-Leeze! People have no problem with boys (other than some if the boys) going into the ladies room. Our society needs to become a bit mature when it comes to these issues.
Alison says:
Oh, goodness. That woman should have kept her mouth SHUT.
Like Mike said, what was he to do? My twin boys are 9 years old, and I only just NOW began leaving them outside of the bathroom while I run in (or run in with their younger sister). But they are instructed to not talk to anyone and stand there and NOT move. Until recently, I was taking all three kids in with me and making them stand right outside of the stall while I’d go.
I realize it’s a bit different in a men’s bathroom, with the urinals, but meh, men usually are hunching over their business and not twirling it around for others to see. Even so? All men (err, most) have a penis, so if she saw it or gasp, saw Mike’s.. BIG DEAL. Eventually, if you haven’t already, you’ll have to tell Annie about how boys have this and girls have that.
I’m sure Annie is fine, lol.
C Ramirez says:
That woman was stupid – tell Mike not to even fret….how many woman take their boys in the woman’s bathroom??? There is no difference…..
Alison says:
PS Maybe you should have Matt Logelin talk to Mike. I’m sure Matt has run into this issue a lot with his daughter, but somehow, she seems to be okay! Matt could reassure Mike that all is well.
Lanie says:
Please headbutt her for me too. I love Annie’s sunglasses. Take care.
Pattie says:
That photo is to die for! And WTH did that woman expect Mike to do? Leave a 2-year-old alone outside? Damned if he did, damned if he didn’t.
Milly says:
I do not get people anymore!
A few weeks ago, I was with my 19 month old son at the grocery store, and it was about 60 degrees (unseasonably warm for east TN!), so we were both wearing shorts. I had some woman FOLLOW me around the grocery store, making comments about how cold my son was because he wasnt wearing a jacket… For real, lady? If I am comfortable, then little man is, too.
I’ve just come to the conclusion that people like your bathroom monitor and my jacket policewoman are just bored and looking for something to complain about. Ignore them and go on!
Adria says:
Mine is 4 and a half and she still goes into the men’s restroom all the time. What happens when she is alone with dad and SHE needs to potty? She’s not old enough to go by herself. So the choices are Dad goes into the women’s restroom, or Emily goes into the men’s restroom. That lady obviously doesn’t have children. Tell him not to sweat it. I’m angry on his behalf.
Dawn @What's Around the Next Bend? says:
Seriously?? Would the woman have said something to me about taking my boys into the ladies room?? I think not.
Tell Mike to forget about it. He was doing what good parents do… he was making sure the well being of his child was being taken care of.
PS – Annie is adorable as always
Lesley says:
Mike should have told that woman that it was his daughter that had to pee and asked her if she would have preferred if he had taken her into the women’s washroom? I take my almost three year old son into the women’s washroom with me all the time as he is toilet training and I am not about to let him down out of fear of some crazy persons view on what is appropriate or not. I also “use the facilities” in front of him if need be. “Elimination” is a fact of life and something everyone does. I believe that if you don’t make a big deal about nudity, (yours, your childs or anyone else’s) then most likely your child will grow up with a healthy view of nudity and will see it as natural and nothing to be ashamed of. To suggest that your daughter will be scarred for what she might have seen is absurd! If Annie has seen her parents nude as most small children have, then she’s seen everything anyway and will not be traumatized by other peoples nudity. Besides, I’m sure Mike wasn’t stopping by the occupied stalls or urinals to give Annie a peepshow anyway! You could bet money that had it been a woman taking a boy into a woman’s washroom she would not have said a word. Why the double standard? Some people should just mind their own bloody business and not hand out their unsolicited parenting advice!!! Sorry for the rant. Some narrow minded (or mindless) people really get under my skin!! Mike’s lucky I wasn’t there at the time. I’d have let the woman have it!
edenland says:
I can kind of see the ladies point. Penises ARE pretty freaky.
Seriously, she was wrong. And rude. I would have told her off SO BAD. Mike, was it the same woman who called you a peach in the post office that time?
Leslie says:
Annie is not scarred! But she would’ve been scarred for life if she saw her dad pee his pants in public!!!
That lady sucks.
judi mitchell says:
it never ceases to amaze me that people think they have the right to express their opinion to you when whatever you are doing is none of their business – what a fruitcake!
Expat Mom says:
My dad took me into men’s rooms when I was little, I do remember it and . . . I am totally not scarred for life. No worries, Mike, Annie will be fine!
Kelly says:
That lady was way out of line. She’s just a little girl!
My husband takes our almost 4 year old daughter into the men’s room if there’s no family restroom and he said he’s never had a single problem or anyone ever saying anything to him.
Kate says:
She is a lot less scarred by going into the bathroom with her dad then getting picked up by a freak outside standing by herself. People have to pee and when you have kids with you they have to go with you. People are just stupid. Seriously she made no sense. Annie has no clue the difference between boys bathrooms and girls bathrooms she is 2. People need to learn to just shut up and mind their own business. I would have head butted her too!
Liz says:
Ugh – I will never understand people that think it’s ok to comment on stuff like that. Seriously, he couldn’t leave her outside! And how is it different than a mom taking her son into the ladies room? Sheesh.
Leigh Elliott says:
OMG – that is absurd! That lady is out of her mind. Please, please, please tell Mike that he should not feel badly at all! he did the right thing! My husband has taken our daughter into the bathroom several times with him. Especially after she was potty trained, if they are out together and she has to go, he isn’t going to send her into the bathroom alone, and I don’t think he’d be welcome in the ladies room….what is WRONG with some people??? It seems like I hear more and more of these kind of stories, where people have no issue letting people know exactly what they think. SO rude, so annoying.
Annalisa says:
You know, if I were Mike, I would have replied “You know, Ma’am, you’re absolutely right. Next time I have to go to the bathroom, we will just waltz into the Ladies’ room”, just to watch her turn several shades of purple while she was having a panic attack.
But then I get the sense that I’m a lot meaner than your husband.
Auntie_M says:
So, I’m just browsing thru your blog tonight & I probably read this back in Feb & just didn’t comment because I was too busy imagining myself head-butting that idiot woman and hoping Mike wasn’t scarred for life.
But now I’m flashing back to dinner on Wed night when my mom & I took my newly turned 8 yr old nephew out to dinner & he had to go to the bathroom and I said I’d take him.
We got to the restrooms and I had this mini panic attack–he’s 8 now: do I still have him go into the women’s room & wait in there with him, or do I let him go into the men’s room & wait outside–or worse: do I let him go into the men’s room but then sneak in there after him to make sure no one *creepy* (yeah, that would be me!) bothered him in there!
I let him go into the men’s room by himself w/out following him in and those were the longest 2 1/2 minutes of my whole freakin’ life!!! I sat on a chair out there counting (really) the seconds and figured he got 3 minutes tops and then I was going in! He came out like a normal person, hands washed and slightly damp and gave me a strange look—probably because his time was running out and I was getting ready to storm the door!
What does one do in those situations? Restaurant w/o family bathroom and a nephew whose 8? I’m outta my league!!!