I do not recommend any child enter a public bathroom without an adult. I've encountered used needles and condons in bathrooms of "upscale" places. It is tempting to a child to investigate.

As far as boys, it is very quick to take advantage of their vulnerability when they are alone. They may not realize the attempt, just think the fellow is being friendly. Then it is too late to avoid fondling or more.

Finally, never put your hand too far into a trash bin. Just drop the papertowel in. Again, you don't know what is under there.

Koch may know the 27 secrets to raising an amazing child, but she may want to do a little more research about the rules of the men's room before she adds another to those of the women's (i.e., how to fish a cell phone out of a toilet). My advice, of course, is also gender biased. Bring her into the men's room. She won't see much of anything shocking at the urinals. Take her to a stall and listen to her instructions--"Daddy come in with me, "or "Daddy wait until I tell you to come in." If it's the latter--grin, bear it, avoid eye contact with others and observe the only rule that matters in the men's room: keep the palm down.

Just recently, I took both kids out to eat by myself. When my four year old son needed to use the bathroom, he chafed at going in the women's bathroom with me. "Mom, I can't go in there, I'm not a lady!" But I was uncomfortable with letting him use the men's room by himself.

I haven't discussed the issue with my H yet, but no way would I let a three year old girl go into a bathroom by herself. Like a previous commenter mentioned, I have seen drug paraphenalia in public restrooms, as well as some really foul, dirty ones. Just a few weeks ago, I went into a bathroom at Penn Station and someone had smeared feces all over the walls of one of the stalls.

I distictly remember my father taking me into the men's bathroom when I was little. And I never saw anything more than men's backs.

Never, ever would I send a young child into a bathroom alone. If you don't make a big deal about taking a little girl into the men's room, it won't be. Pick her up and avert her eyes on the way to the stall. My husband has done it hundreds of times.

Don't ever ask a stranger to help with something like that! Eek. And I agree that the cellphone is likely to be dropped to the bottom of the bowl. (Just how would she manage to make a call if she were being accosted in the bathroom?)

Common sense here, people!

My (grown) sister once entered a public restroom in a park and had the distinct sensation of hands pulling her back. The room appeared to be empty, but a sixth sense caused her to look carefully and quietly, and she discovered a man crouching on top of one of the toilets. What if you had sent a child in alone?