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Blackcat31 12:32 PM 11-16-2016
Do you allow a child to use the bathroom unassisted?
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EntropyControlSpecialist 12:38 PM 11-16-2016
Once they're potty trained. So, as early as 2.5.
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DaveA 12:50 PM 11-16-2016
Once they're potty trained and I think they can use the bathroom without them destroying it in the process.
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Controlled Chaos 12:50 PM 11-16-2016
Depends...I can see the bathroom and playroom at the same time so even if they are in there alone I can give them "the eye"

2 years old typically. I had a 5 yo that never got to...he was a stinker
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Baby Beluga 01:00 PM 11-16-2016
For me it depends on the maturity of the child. I have had some potty trained children who could go through all the steps themselves and some potty trained children who would do nothing but play in the bathroom.
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Leigh 01:13 PM 11-16-2016
When I trust them. I've seen school agers who can't be trusted in there and 3 year olds who can.
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e.j. 03:41 PM 11-16-2016
As others have said, it all depends on the child and his/her ability. Some kids can handle using the bathroom unassisted sooner than others. I decide on a case by case basis.
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Annalee 04:14 PM 11-16-2016
Just depends! I have a 2.5 year old right now that can potty alone but have had some 3 year olds that couldn't potty alone. Depends on the maturity level I guess?
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Gemma 04:21 AM 11-17-2016
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Do you allow a child to use the bathroom unassisted?
I don't think age is a key factor for me, it depends on the child
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Play Care 04:29 AM 11-17-2016
Like others, maturity plays a bigger role than age.
That said, any SA kids get privacy, but I do a quick check of the bathrooms afterwards if they are on the immature side.
That's more of a CYA move though.
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Unregistered 05:24 AM 11-17-2016
Depends on the child I had a SA girl over the summer who wasn't allowed to go alone because her destructive behavior in there. I stood outside the door and listened every time. Made for a long summer and I won't be accepting her back
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daycarediva 06:11 AM 11-17-2016
Originally Posted by Controlled Chaos:
Depends...I can see the bathroom and playroom at the same time so even if they are in there alone I can give them "the eye"

2 years old typically. I had a 5 yo that never got to...he was a stinker

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childcaremom 06:30 AM 11-17-2016
Only my own.

I only take up to school aged (so usually 4 and, depending on birth days, sometimes 5). They can use the toilet by themselves and I will give them privacy if asked to but I supervise toilet paper and flushing and washing of hands.

I've heard the horror stories of plugged toilets, bathroom floods, etc. If that happens here, it better be one of my own!
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Crazy8 06:42 AM 11-17-2016
Never

My kids all leave by 4 years old for preschool (and usually its more like 3.5yrs old) so we never really get to the go it alone stage.
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Mike 03:33 PM 11-17-2016
I've babysat kids of different bathroom "maturity" levels. One still needed a little help even at the age of 6. Different kids need different levels of support to different ages.

One thing I've found is that at a certain point in their life, they want privacy, and if they aren't fully self-sufficient yet, they learn quick.
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daycare 03:40 PM 11-17-2016
Originally Posted by Gemma:
I don't think age is a key factor for me, it depends on the child
Ditto on this. For me it's more about the individual childs abilities than their age
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AmyKidsCo 05:26 PM 11-17-2016
Once they're potty trained. Unless they shoe me that they can't be trusted alone in the bathroom.

Why do you ask?
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Blackcat31 06:40 PM 11-17-2016
Originally Posted by AmyKidsCo:
Once they're potty trained. Unless they shoe me that they can't be trusted alone in the bathroom.

Why do you ask?
I have a 3.5 yr old that is toilet trained.
Smart. Good listener, funny, well rounded kid.

Grandma is also a provider. (30+ yrs)
Lives in another town.

DCK's Mom (grandma's daughter-in-law) says grandma told her I should NEVER allow anyone under age 5 to use the bathroom without my assistance. I should be helping them wipe and wash hands and was generally shocked that I don't do any of that once a child is toilet trained.

I guess I'm just curious if my expectations are like other providers or if I am off base. Every kid I have in underwear easily wipes and washes their hands without help from me. Occassionally someome needs help with a snap or a belt or maybe even an unusually messy poo but for the most part I am not involved in their bathroom use.

I have kids as young as 2 yrs 3 months in underwear.
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AmyKidsCo 06:46 PM 11-17-2016
I'm with you - once a child is fully potty trained he/she is completely in charge of that stuff. I don't wipe butts, check to see if they're wiped well enough, etc. If a child comes in with challenging clothing I help once, then the clothing is changed and the offending garment sent home with "She wasn't able to open the snap herself."
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Unregistered 08:04 PM 11-17-2016
Once they are potty trained they go on there own .i only help when they first start potty training for the first week or two then they do it on there own.i potty train early here all potty trained by 2.5 .
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MunchkinWrangler 08:37 PM 11-17-2016
I always s went by what the child was capable of. I had a 3 year old who wasn't always good at wiping so I assisted, meaning poo all over if I didn't help. But she always had looser bm's so that was the issue.
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Mike 08:38 PM 11-17-2016
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Every kid I have in underwear easily wipes and washes their hands without help from me. Occassionally someome needs help with a snap or a belt or maybe even an unusually messy poo but for the most part I am not involved in their bathroom use.

I have kids as young as 2 yrs 3 months in underwear.

Different ages for different kids, but once they were able to do the job themselves, I only helped when needed.
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Tags:bathroom unassisted, milestones
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