Message text written by INTERNET:gobagroup@yahoogroups.com
>I am taking my 7 year old daughter on GOBA.. One of my concerns is the
showers. I know that they have truck showers and showers in some of
the schools..I have been talking to her about going in the womans
showers and that is the plan.. <

I can't say I've been on GOBA with a child that age in tow but GOBA is one
of the friendliest and most family oriented groups I've ever seen. I take
it you haven't been on a GOBA before?

There really is endless hot water so it's really not a problem if your
daugher wants to stand in the stall for 15 minutes - aside from you
neverously waiting outside.

The basic drill is: There is a row of shower stalls down one side and the
other side has a bench and a row of hooks above it. You put your dry
clothes on bench/hook, undress, put old clothes on hook/bench, take shower,
come out, dry, and dress in new clothes. Finished.

The lack of privacy may be biggest hurtle for some (of all ages). The
only way to change privately would be to do so INSIDE a wet shower stall.
Not the safest thing to do. And no way would new clean clothes stay dry
in there as there's absolutely no place to put them. But talking
beforehand about stripping down to nothing in front of / next to strangers
will RAISE apprehensions rather than allieviate it for most kids. Once
inside their eyes may get wide the first time but if everyone else is
pretending that it doesn't matter --- then I guess it doesn't! ;-)

I recommend that YOU take a shower yourself first and you'll see how the
shower trucks work inside and out.

THEN put your daugher in line with the women and talk her through what to
do. (Just go over the steps above... don't mention that other people
will be doing the same right next to her). The other women in line will
have heard you prepping your daugher and I'm SURE will give you a friendly
'Happy to.' of you ask them quietly to let you know when they come out if
your daugher is having any trouble (and will probably assist her organizing
her stuff inside if needed). And most all women entering would be
willing to call out for your daugher to see if she's doing OK and remind
her to 'finish up' cause her father is waiting outside.

-Pat M
Dublin, OH
on my 3rd GOBA this year