The Bert Show: "How Old Is Too Old For Dads To Take Their Daughters Into Restrooms?"

Original Air Date: January 30, 2026
Host & Cast: Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy, and callers

Episode Overview

This episode tackles a nuanced parenting dilemma: At what age is it inappropriate for fathers to bring their daughters into men's restrooms? The Bert Show cast delves into personal experiences, etiquette, legal considerations, and listener opinions, revealing the complexities faced by single dads and families in public spaces where family restrooms may not be available. The tone is candid, humorous, and empathetic, aiming to both inform and entertain.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bert’s Parenting Dilemma

• Incident: Bert recounts seeing fathers bring their approximately 7- or 8-year-old daughters into men's bathrooms while out in public.
• Concern: He questions the appropriateness and comfort level for both the children and other men present.
  Quote:

  "Twice now... it's been like seven or eight-year-old girls. And I'm wondering where the cutoff is on that because to me, it doesn't seem real healthy for the girl. And it certainly is uncomfortable for all the guys that are in the men's bathroom." – Bert (00:46)

2. Women’s Perspective on Bathroom Norms

• Observation: In women’s restrooms, children accompanying parents is common and expected, sparking confusion as to why an older girl couldn't go to the women’s restroom alone.
• Quote:

  "I'm surprised that he would not think a seven or eight year old girl could go to the bathroom on her own in a women's restroom." – Kristin (01:07)

3. Lack of Family Restrooms

• Challenge: The absence of single-stall, gender-neutral family restrooms often forces parents into uncomfortable decisions. Quote:

  "You don't have those family restrooms where you can go in there and it's just one stall for you and your daughter... So you're forced to make a decision." – Bert (02:03)

4. Callers’ Opinions and Experiences

a) Strict Cutoff Advocates

• Caller: Tammy (02:44)
  • Believes 7-8 is far too old for girls to be taken into men's restrooms.
  • Advocates standing outside the ladies' room and waiting.
  • Quote:

    "Seven, eight year old girls are more than able to take care of their business... All dad has to do is stand outside that door and wait... I would never, never allow my husband to do that with my children, my girls, ever." – Tammy (02:53)

b) Context Matters

• Caller: Jessica (04:35)
  • Feels location and environment matter: in unfamiliar or "shady" places, bringing a child into the men's room is more understandable.
  • Quote:

    "If it's somewhere that's maybe kind of shady or... you've never been before, I would much rather him take her into the men's bathroom." – Jessica (04:35)

c) Safety vs. Social Comfort

• Multiple Callers:
  • Express understanding of dads acting out of "defense mode," prioritizing their child’s safety over social conventions.
  • Quote:

    "My only goal is to get him back to his mother breathing. So I can understand why some of these guys are like, I don't care if it's inappropriate. I just need to have my eyes on her because she's not gonna be lost on my watch." – Bert (06:05)

d) Legal/Ethical Angle

• Caller: Pool Employee (07:32)
  • Mentions that legally, age six is often cited as the cutoff.
  • Quote:

    "The legal age that they can take like a daughter into the men's bathroom... Six is the cutoff." (07:46)

e) Protective Parenting Solutions

• Caller: Reese (08:04)
  • Describes her ex-husband’s practical tactic: cover the child’s eyes and quickly enter the stall.
  • Balances discomfort with the fear of losing sight of the child.
  • Quote:

    "He covered her eyes and had her facing him and ran into the stall with her... That was better than you losing my kids." – Reese (08:27)

f) Child’s Preference and Awareness

• Caller: Don (08:57)
  • Notes her independent 8-year-old daughter wouldn’t want to be in the men’s room, recognizing gender differences.
  • Suggests relying on help from women present if in a large, busy venue.
  • Quote:

    "My 8 year old ... would never want to go in there at that age anyway. So I think it's the dad being a little bit overprotective. He's got to turn loose just a little bit." – Don (08:57)

5. Gender Dynamics and Trust

• Stall Privacy: Noted that women’s bathrooms offer more privacy (stalls), making it less awkward for boys to accompany their mothers.
• Community Mindset: In women’s restrooms, other women often watch out for unattended kids, creating a village mentality. Quote:

  "There is this protectiveness in a women's bathroom knowing that there's a kid in there, like always keeping an eye on him and making sure that he or she stays with the mom and stuff." – Kristin (09:53) "It's like the modern day takes a village; it takes a restroom." – Cassie (10:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Seven, eight year old girls are more than able to take care of their business... All dad has to do is stand outside that door and wait..." – Tammy, Caller (02:53)
• "My only goal is to get him back to his mother breathing. So I can understand why some of these guys are like, I don't care if it's inappropriate. I just need to have my eyes on her because she's not gonna be lost on my watch." – Bert (06:05)
• "He covered her eyes and had her facing him and ran into the stall with her... That was better than you losing my kids." – Reese, Caller (08:27)
• "There is this protectiveness in a women's bathroom knowing that there's a kid in there... It's like the modern day takes a village; it takes a restroom." – Kristin & Cassie (09:53–10:15)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–01:07: Bert introduces personal dilemma and the question of etiquette
• 02:44–03:16: Caller Tammy's strong objection to bringing older girls into men's rooms
• 04:35–05:19: Caller Jessica offers nuance based on safety and environment
• 06:05–06:28: Bert explains "defense mode" and the lengths dads go for safety
• 07:32–08:00: Pool employee suggests six is the legal cutoff age
• 08:27–08:52: Caller Reese shares ex-husband’s strategy for privacy/safety
• 09:53–10:20: Discussion of “restroom village” mindset in women’s bathrooms

Summary & Takeaways

• There is no universal consensus; opinions range from strict (never after age 5–6) to situational (dependent on environment/safety).
• Legally, six is sometimes considered the cutoff age, but practical application varies.
• The lack of family restrooms puts pressure on parents—especially fathers—to make awkward choices.
• Mothers and daughters tend to feel safer in women’s rooms, with communal oversight, while fathers face privacy and social discomfort in men's rooms.
• Ultimately, most agree the child’s maturity, the context, and heightened concern for safety should guide the decision—though some listeners emphasize the importance of respecting social norms and children's autonomy as they age.

This episode captures the complexity and messiness of real-world parenting decisions, balancing legal guidelines, child development, public comfort, and the constant undercurrent of parental concern for safety.