Hey. Got a 4.5 year old and recently he's been complaining if I need to go to the toilet in a public spot, or wanting to do his own thing if we're at the shops. Today I quickly nipped into the gents while he looked in the kids corner of a pretty empty community centre. Once I left him at the table in a café while I went for a wee. Another example is leaving him looking at the comics in the local shop while I grab a few bits. I'm always quick, would never do it in a large busy unfamiliar environment. Also I trust him not to do anything crazy, but am worried while away. Don't want to let my anxiety stifle normal development, so thought I'd get others opinions. Is this too young?

Edit - right, thanks for the answers all. Time for bed. Safe to say that I've been too comfortable with the familiar places and I'll be returning to the old ways of dragging him with me to the loo. We're lucky to live in a smallish community where we know a good number of the staff/locals. That doesn't guarantee safety though.