Sometimes the setup in the mall bathroom isn't perfect: the sink might be too high, or your little one might run out of toilet paper. And while there's no way of knowing the condition for sure if you're stuck outside, Dr. Sileo wants to remind parents that your children shouldn't talk to strangers in those situations — no matter how dire.
"It is never OK for young children to ask strangers for help when they're using a public restroom," explained Dr. Sileo. "If they cannot reach the sink or if they don't know what to do if they run out of toilet paper, then they shouldn't be using a public bathroom by themselves."
The bottom line? If they're not old enough to troubleshoot such issues on their own, then they're probably not old enough to do a solo bathroom run, whether you're standing right outside or not.
