- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- preschoolers today articles
- preschoolers today q&a
- children today articles
- children today q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Expert Q&A
 |  |  |
| By Susan Bartell Licensed Psychologist | ||
 |
My 8-year-old son wets the bed but is embarrassed that he can't wear "regular" underwear to bed. How do you let your kids know it's nothing to be embarrassed about?
Explain to your kids that wetting the bed doesn't mean you're a baby, because many older children wet their beds. Explain that when you sleep very, very deeply you may not feel that you need to use the bathroom, and that's why you wet the bed. It is also helpful to tell your children that there are some things they can do to make it less likely they will wet.
For example, suggest that they become aware of not drinking about two hours before bedtime, going to the bathroom right before bed and agreeing to let you walk them to the bathroom again before you go to bed.
Reassure your child that he will eventually grow out of the wetting, but until then it is fine to keep this private û he doesn't have to tell his friends or anyone else with whom he doesn't feel comfortable."
Related Expert Q&A
- How do I reduce the amount of liquids my son drinks without making him too thirsty?
- My 3-year-old daughter wets several times a week while my 5-year-old son has wet just about every night of his life. Does this mean that his case is more severe than hers?
- Does bedwetting have anything to do with my daughters' prematurity?
- Could the vitamins my child takes affect his bedwetting?
- Can bedwetting be the result of an allergy?
More Answers by this Expert
- My 5-month-old son wakes up every half-hour after 4 a.m. How do I get him out of this routine?
- We have a 7-month-old and are expecting our second child. They will be 14 months apart. Do we need a second crib?
- I have 1-year-old twins and another baby on the way. Is it OK to have all three children in the same room?
- One of infant twins is suffering from colic, and they share a room. Should I separate them?
- What are your thoughts about allowing a 5-year-old to continue to sleep with his parents instead of her own bed in her own room?