Health, body and toileting: 15 decisions to make together
Potty training, doctors, dental care, body privacy, consent and puberty.
1. Childhood and teen vaccines (annual flu and COVID, HPV timing)
Vaccines train the body to fight specific diseases.
4 options · Guidance changing · 6–12 months
2. Medication philosophy for common illness
How readily you give medicine for everyday illness such as fevers, colds and aches: treating promptly, waiting and focusing on comfort, or keeping medicine to a minimum in favor of natural remedies.
3 options · Evidence leans one way · 6–12 months
3. Complementary and alternative medicine
Whether you use treatments outside conventional medicine, such as herbal remedies, homeopathy or acupuncture, and how that fits with your pediatrician.
3 options · Your call · 6–12 months
4. Fluoride
Fluoride is a natural mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent cavities.
4 options · Guidance changing · 6–12 months
5. Dental care and thumb or pacifier weaning
When you start dental visits and brushing and how you handle thumb-sucking and pacifier use.
3 options · Evidence leans one way · 6–12 months
6. Toilet-training approach
Potty training, also called toilet training or toilet learning, is teaching a child to pee and poo in a potty or toilet instead of a diaper.
5 options · Your call · Toddler
7. Toilet-training motivation and setbacks
How you encourage potty training and respond when it goes wrong: whether you use praise, stickers or treats, and what you do about accidents, refusal and steps backward.
5 options · Well established · Toddler
8. Night dryness and bedwetting
Staying dry overnight is a separate step from daytime potty training and usually comes later.
5 options · Well established · Preschool
9. Body vocabulary
What words you use for body parts: the anatomical names, family nicknames, or avoiding the subject.
3 options · Well established · Toddler
10. Affection and consent
Whether a child must hug or kiss relatives, or is always allowed to choose, which shapes how they learn about their own boundaries.
3 options · Evidence leans one way · Toddler
11. Nudity and privacy at home
How relaxed the household is about being undressed in front of children, and how body privacy changes as they grow.
3 options · Your call · Toddler
12. Puberty talks
When and how you talk about puberty and bodily changes: gradually from early childhood, in one planned talk, or leaving it to school.
3 options · Evidence leans one way · School age
13. Hygiene autonomy
When children take over washing and personal care themselves, and how much you supervise.
3 options · Your call · School age
14. Sun exposure
How you handle sun: strict covering and avoidance, sunscreen with outdoor time, or a relaxed approach.
3 options · Evidence leans one way · 0–6 months
15. Elective procedures (orthodontic, cosmetic, ear piercing)
Which non-essential medical or cosmetic procedures you would allow for a child, such as braces for looks, cosmetic work or ear piercing.
3 options · Your call · School age