Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Add Upworthy to your Google News feed.
Google News Button

While some states have made great progress in improving the child changing stations in men's bathrooms, many still lag behind. A few years ago, father Charles Mau went viral when he shared the appalling conditions he encountered while changing his daughter.

That's why Chronicles of Daddy blogger Muhammed Nitoto decided to share his solution to the problem: taking his daughter into the women's bathroom instead. In a viral Instagram post, Nitoto explained that he does so to "protect" his daughter from "all things that aren't for them, and the men's bathroom is 100% one of those things."



"As a dad being out with daughters I never thought the bathroom would become as big as a issue as it is," Nitoto explained. "Usually we would go places and they have FAMILY bathroom which are meant for people with children but what I found was most places don't have them and Dads are left to decide between taking their daughters to the men's bathroom or the women's."

Nitoto shared his experience with changing his daughter in the men's bathroom."Now when first hit with this choice I did what most men would do which is, I went to the Men's bathroom. Now I've been to a men's bathroom millions of times but walking in with your daughter makes you look at it completely different. Men's bathrooms are DISGUSTING. They smell like pee and nothing is setup for a woman or a person with a child. The changing table was right next to the urinal which means my child literally would be next to where men pee which she's being charged. Not to mention that their are men going in and out while you're in their."

"After doing that 1 time I decided I'd never take my daughter's to the men's bathroom again. I use the women's bathroom when I'm out with them. They are too young to go on their own so I have to go in with them."Nitoto explained that he always knocks first and announces himself if anyone is in the bathroom, ensuring they are okay with him coming in.

"I try to be as respectful to women as I can while doing so which consists of knocking on the door before entering and announcing myself. Making sure if someone is inside that they know I am a Dad coming in with his daughter and making sure they are comfortable with that."

"Now once inside our stall I still am aware of the door and whenever I hear it open and someone new is coming in I announce myself again and make sure they know I'm inside with my child so that they aren't surprised.""Women's bathrooms are so much cleaner and setup prefect just incase they have children," Nitoto concluded. "The changing station is usually insure a stall instead of just in the open and it's always clean. As a girl dad I can't help but want to protect my daughter's from all things that aren't for them and the men's bathroom is 100% one of those things. Am I the only one? Ladies how does this make you feel?"

Many parents relate to Nitoto's experience, with one explaining: "Totally, I'm a single mum to boys one of whom is autistic and even though they're getting older I still take them to the ladies with me. I've had comments about them being too old (7 & 6) but I want them to be safe and I don't feel comfortable with them going into a men's bathroom alone nor will I go into one if they call me for help. Family bathrooms are a necessity and decent changing facilities cannot be overlooked. Well done for stick to what is safe and comfortable for you and your child."

Another parent added: "That makes me feel so much pride in you and so much gratitude on behalf of your daughters. I would feel more than comfortable with a man in the bathroom if he behaved the exact way you said you do when entering and occupying a female space. Your daughters are lucky to have you. A men’s bathroom is definitely not the space for a young girl."

This article originally appeared four years ago.

More For You

Couples dancing at a wedding.

Representative Image: Her siblings saved her wedding with their heartfelt gesture.

Bride’s siblings gave her an unforgettable gift after their parents refused to show up to wedding

A wedding is meant to be a joyous occasion, a day filled with love and support from family and friends. But for many in the LGBTQIA+ community, that support isn’t always guaranteed. A study published in the Journal of Family Psychology found that 70% of LGBTQIA+ individuals experience some level of parental rejection.

Megan knew that reality all too well. When she married the love of her life, Brittany, her parents chose not to attend due to their religious beliefs. But rather than dwell on their absence, Megan’s siblings stepped up in a way that moved everyone to tears. They gave her a surprise father-daughter dance—one that she would never forget.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mom, mom and son, working mom
woman in gray sweater carrying baby in blue and white shirt
Photo by Gabe Pierce on Unsplash

Toddler's sweet messages for working mom on doorbell cam melts hearts

Doorbell cameras have captured so many iconic moments. From a UPS driver grateful for snacks left out at a home she was delivering at, to a new mom receiving heartfelt parenting advice from her mom during a visit, to an Amazon driver doing a solid for a woman looking to conceal her purchases from her husband--they do so much more than serve as a security tool.

And for first-time and working mom Hannah Bell, her doorbell camera has helped her create beautiful memories with her toddler, Landon, each morning she is away from home at the office. Bell shared with Newsweek, "I started consistently leaving for work before my son woke up in the morning, so we didn't get to see each other most mornings."

Keep ReadingShow less
man in blue long sleeve shirt carrying baby in white onesie

Dad hacks!

Dad discovers hilarious new hack for calling his daughter downstairs

As every parent knows, getting your child to do the thing you want them to do can be an impossible, Sisyphean task. How can I get my child to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’—and not just utter the words, but actually mean them? What could possibly entice them to help out more around the house? Is going to bed at a reasonable hour something kids actually do, or only an urban legend?

In a Reddit form on r/Parenting, @sabinesse1054 asked a question about the difference between productivity and pleasure.

Keep ReadingShow less
A mother scolds her child in a dim room.

Parents might be setting their children up for a lifetime of issues without ever realizing it.

Psychologist warns about 'eggshell parenting'—and why its effects last a lifetime

Children thrive in environments where they feel safe, secure, and loved. But when these feelings are unpredictable, it can create lasting emotional harm. Dr. Kim Sage, a licensed psychologist from Newport, California, has popularized the term "eggshell parenting" to describe this dynamic. Through her TikTok channel (@drkimsage), she has shared hundreds of videos explaining how eggshell parenting affects children and their future relationships.

What is eggshell parenting?

Eggshell parenting occurs when a child's emotional environment is dictated by a parent's unpredictable outbursts. Dr. Sage explains that this forces children to be constantly on high alert, suppressing their natural emotions and behaviors to avoid triggering a negative reaction. "Eggshell parenting and emotionally unpredictable, unsafe parenting often creates a lifetime of hypervigilance in us and a deep belief that there’s no such thing as real safety in relationships," she says.

Keep ReadingShow less
Seth Rogen and wife Lauren Miller

Seth Rogen and wife Lauren Miller.

jdeeringdavis/Wikipedia

Seth Rogen stands firm on his decision to remain child-free despite the backlash

Actor Seth Rogen and his wife Lauren Miller have been happily married since 2011. As their relationship has grown, one thing has not: their desire to have a family. Rogen came under fire following an appearance on the The Diary Of A CEO podcast in March 2024, where he explained to host Steven Bartlett that he and Miller have decided to be child-free. “There's a whole huge thing I'm not doing, which is raising children,” he shared in the interview.

Rogen explained to Bartlett that he and Miller had chosen a different path than a lot of their friends. “I mean, a lot of people have kids before they even think about it, from what I've seen, honestly,” he said. “You just are told, you go through life, you get married, you have kids—it’s what happens.”

Keep ReadingShow less