A doting father has spoken out about why he chooses to change his young daughter in women's restrooms and not men's.
Muhammed Nitoto is best known on social media as @chroniclesofdaddy, where he frequently shares his experiences as a father.
Like many fathers, part of his parenting journey involves him being out and about alone with his young daughters - and that means having to change them by himself.
However, in an attempt to shine a spotlight on the contended issue of public restrooms, Nitoto revealed in a recent Instagram post that he chooses to change his daughter's in women's restrooms. The father's post started with the attention-grabbing statement: "I TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO THE GIRLS BATHROOM".
His eloquent post continues: "As a dad being out with daughters I never thought the bathroom would become as big as a issue as it is.
"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."
The father then explains: "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 [changed]."
Nitoto revealed that after changing his daughter in a men's bathroom for the first time, he vowed never to do it again.
"I use the women's bathroom when I'm out with them," he writes. "They are too young to go on their own so I have to go in with them."
The father then explains his process, saying: "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."
Nitoto says that women's restrooms are, on the whole, much cleaner and set up in a more child-friendly way.
"The changing station is usually [inside] a stall instead of just in the open and it's always clean," he writes. "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."
He then asks his followers: "Am I the only one? Ladies how does this make you feel?"
In response to the post, many of Nitoto's followers praised his decision and his awareness about using women's restrooms.
One person commented: "thank you for being so thoughtful of women.. I have no problem with this at all, you shouldn’t have to take your daughter into the men’s toilet they are Disgusting.. No little girl should have to go through that experience.. Keep doing what you are doing [...] you should be proud of yourself".
A second added: "This approach is very respectful to women and your daughter, which I love".
A third commented: "So nice to hear that there is respect for everyone when this happens as it, as it is nice to see that you are keeping yourself, your daughter and other women safe by doing this. Your daughter will be proud how respectful you are towards women by doing this."
And a fourth Instagram user commented: "Yes, this is amazing. If any woman was upset by this they are nuts. Let them go use the disgusting men’s bathroom. You’re doing what’s best for your daughter and that should be celebrated."
So, is this something you'll be trying in the future? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
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