You know the scenario well: it’s time for your child’s physical, or school immunizations, or your children are sick. You sit in the waiting area going over the questions that you want to ask the family physician in Phoenix. But by the time the appointment is over, once again you’ve forgotten to ask those questions you’ve always meant to ask your family physician in Phoenix. Or, there may be some questions you feel that you should already know the answers to. Here are a few of those questions that we tend to never ask but always mean to, along with answers.

1. Are Vaccines Safe?

Though there is a lot of confusing media coverage on this issue, vaccines in the U.S., also known as school immunizations, are safe, well studied, and regulated. They are the best way to protect your child against dangerous diseases and to prevent sick children from spreading disease. School immunizations are required for good reason, and your Phoenix family physician will provide a vaccine or school immunization schedule.

2. What’s the best way to discipline my toddler?

Any family physician in Phoenix will tell you that there’s no single way to discipline. Positive reinforcement is a good line of defense. Make sure there are consequences to not behaving, like withholding privileges, and follow through with these, but do so calmly. Make sure you are not coming from a place of anger, which will always backfire. Use time out if necessary, and simply ignore tantrums. Children need time to learn to deal with their own frustrations, just like adults.

3. When should I start potty training?

Each child will begin to use the toilet on their own time. Don’t put lots of pressure on them, especially if your child is sick or upset, but make sure they see you go and have access to a small potty at all times. Eventually they’ll try it.

4. How can I get my child to sleep through the night?

Children have to learn to fall asleep and go back to sleep on their own. If your child is no longer a small infant, you can start to reduce sleep aides one at a time. Once they learn to go to sleep by themselves, they’ll be more likely to sleep through the night. Sick children have different requirements, of course.

5. When should I take my child to the dentist for the first time?

Children should see the dentist when their first tooth appears, or no later than their first year.