Moms/sisters in locker rooms.

[flpucknut]

At what age do the women get kicked out of the locker room? My son is 8 and is starting to feel uncomfortable with other kids moms being in there helping their own kids get dressed. I'm sure there are other kids feeling the same way but afraid or embarrassed to say anything. Also what age is inappropriate for sisters, or girls all together to not be allowed in the locker room while the boys are changing? On our summer team there was a Mom who would bring her 6-7 year old in before and after games...When I coach this winter (last year mites) is it out of line for me to have a no mom policy while boys are changing?

[Cdale]

At what age do the women get kicked out of the locker room? My son is 8 and is starting to feel uncomfortable with other kids moms being in there helping their own kids get dressed. I'm sure there are other kids feeling the same way but afraid or embarrassed to say anything. Also what age is inappropriate for sisters, or girls all together to not be allowed in the locker room while the boys are changing? On our summer team there was a Mom who would bring her 6-7 year old in before and after games...When I coach this winter (last year mites) is it out of line for me to have a no mom policy while boys are changing?

Not sure about the "women get kicked out of the locker room?" part, I'd change "women" to (parents/siblings/non coaches). And the answer is squirts. After mites, no need for anyone but a coach. With the exception being a quick tie of skates and then audi.

[InigoMontoya]

I don't think you'd even be asking the question if it was a locker room full of girls and they were uncomfortable with dads and brothers in there.

[Shinbone_News]

As you probably know since you're a coach, there are actual policies about this from USAHockey. Same-sex locker room monitors are required, and they must have passed a screening. Separate locker rooms/dressing areas are to be provided for mixed teams. There ought not be moms or sisters in the locker-room -- other dads or coaches can tie skates.

But pragmatically, I agree with CDale on this. Squirts still like to have their skates tied by mom. Then our coach says, "Players only, please." It also gives them a chance to talk turkey with the kids and reinforces in parents' minds certain boundaries.

[old goalie85]

Last year of mites tie them up your self.... No reason for mom or sister!!!!!!!!!!!

[JSR]

Last year of mites tie them up your self.... No reason for mom or sister!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree sort of, there is no logical reason I can think of that a squirt should not be tying his own skates. I can see it for some mites but not after that.It's amazing how well they figure it out once you refuse to do it for them.....

On a separate note, my son was always a little "shy" about changing in front of everyone and having them potentially see his underwear, even when he was 4 years old, simple solution, wear under armour shorts (they are sort of like bicycle shorts only no padding). They do not restrict movement at all, you wear them under your gear, you can wear them to the rink under clothes and then home. They are like $5 if that much at most places for the little guy sizes. Perfect solution ofr those worried about who might see what because hoenstly I jsut can't see getting rid of the parents from the lockerroom at the mite age, some disagree but realistically it's not going to happen, so that was our solution. Funny thing is now that same son is 11 and he no longer wants to wear the under armour shorts and he has no quarrel about who sees him change in the lockerroom, you'd think at that age it'd be the opposite

[luckyEPDad]

I don't think you'd even be asking the question if it was a locker room full of girls and they were uncomfortable with dads and brothers in there.

Starting at U8 I began blocking the door for dads trying to walk into the girls locker room. Got some startled looks, but a quick explanation that the team policy is locker rooms are for players and coaches only smoothed things over quickly. There are always benches outside for tying skates. Don't see why the same shouldn't be true for boys.

[flpucknut]

Great points, and you are right. I guess we expect boys to not be as modest as girls. I think I will include the locker room policy in the preseason rules and expectations for parents. Thanks for the input.

[CaDad]

FLPUCKNUT
I am shocked you do not know the answer.
8 years old and you allow moms in the locker rooms and the sisters also? This begs another way of putting it, would you want to see a Dad in the locker room with his 8 year old Daughter getting dressed with his sons?
Now I understand a 5 or 6 year old, but seriously, 8? Just why is it males are not afforded the same respect as females? I would like to know that.
A "no Mom policy" in the locker room would be appropriate-it is a no brainer!
Regarding JSR's comments, on boards like this you are always going to have some pervert with a CFNM fetish-his statement embellishes that.

[HockeyDad41]

FLPUCKNUT
I am shocked you do not know the answer.
8 years old and you allow moms in the locker rooms and the sisters also? This begs another way of putting it, would you want to see a Dad in the locker room with his 8 year old Daughter getting dressed with his sons?
Now I understand a 5 or 6 year old, but seriously, 8? Just why is it males are not afforded the same respect as females? I would like to know that.
A "no Mom policy" in the locker room would be appropriate-it is a no brainer!
Regarding JSR's comments, on boards like this you are always going to have some pervert with a CFNM fetish-his statement embellishes that.

CFNM? Must be a new co-op?

[old goalie85]

They should be tying their own skates !!!! Come on !!!

[MrBoDangles]

FLPUCKNUT
I am shocked you do not know the answer.
8 years old and you allow moms in the locker rooms and the sisters also? This begs another way of putting it, would you want to see a Dad in the locker room with his 8 year old Daughter getting dressed with his sons?
Now I understand a 5 or 6 year old, but seriously, 8? Just why is it males are not afforded the same respect as females? I would like to know that.
A "no Mom policy" in the locker room would be appropriate-it is a no brainer!
Regarding JSR's comments, on boards like this you are always going to have some pervert with a CFNM fetish-his statement embellishes that.

CFNM? Must be a new co-op?

Central Far North Metro co-op?

[SCBlueLiner]

Agree that parents should be out of the locker room by age 8, especially females, it's just creepy. It's hard to overcome though as some parents have a harder time letting go, think their child is eternally 4 yrs old, and are clueless about boundaries.

At first year squirts we just flat kicked all parents out of the locker room. It was just too chaotic and the boys were hesitant to get undressed/dressed if any moms were in the room. There really is no reason to help a player get dressed at that age. They should be doing it on their own and carrying their own bag by mites. They want to play they need to be responsible for their equipment. Skates I'm a little more lenient with.

Without parents in the locker room that has meant coaches tying lots of skates. I bet I tie a minimum of 25 pairs a week. It's easy to say they should tie their own. Really though it can be kind of hard for some of those kids to properly tie their skates, especially those waxy laces, even I hate those things. Frankly, I'd feel horrible if a kid's performance on the ice was hindered because of improperly tied skates and I could do something to prevent that. They are still kids after all.

I have informed them all that come PeeWee's they are on their own so they better add practice tying their own skates to the summer workout list.

[old goalie85]

Pee-wees ?? I sure hope so/7 th graders. Wow.

[SCBlueLiner]

Actually, about half the current squirt team is in 5th grade now, half in 4th, and one in 3rd. We have a young group. So no, no 7th graders next year.