It has been a few years now since my son Jesse first uttered those words, “Daddy I wet the bed.” They were not particularly welcomed words, but they were also not the biggest challenge I have faced as a single parent either. Our adventure through the experience, and my advocacy for healthy approaches to bedwetting solutions , like using GoodNites®, has brought about unexpected rewards.
One of the greatest of those rewards was to learn the truth about bedwetting, even after we had sailed successfully across wet sheet ocean.
Sure, there are some common myths that I already knew to avoid, in part from the way I approach my overall parenting experience. For example, I knew not to shame my child. I knew this was not something he was doing that required discipline. I knew that he would grow out of it.
Here are some myth busters I learned along the way:
The “You’re the only one” Myth. Since bedwetting isn’t a topic people often talk about, most children and parents think they are the only ones with the problem. The reality is that one in six kids ages 4 – 12 experience bedwetting. But because parents can sometimes be misinformed, children may feel ashamed. What you can do as their parent is assure them that it’s out of their control, and something they will naturally outgrow that a lot of kids just like them go through.
The “Mommy and Daddy Bloggers Write About EVERYTHING” Myth. Guess what they rarely write about? Bedwetting. It was not until I talked with so many about the subject and saw how prevalent it was that I noticed how LACKING it was in my submissions box. The only way to show our kids it’s okay is to talk about it, so c’mon guys…let’s discuss!
The “If you’ve been through it, you KNOW” Myth. As I have heard more and more parent stories, I have realized there are many variations of experiences. The issues can be very different. The things to avoid are the same. Just because you have experienced it, you may not actually know what your neighbor is dealing with, so talk about it and learn from one another!
The “restricting fluids before bed to wake up dry” Myth. Restricting fluids may seem like a smart solution to bedwetting, but this mostly ineffective and can feel like a punishment to your child. I never wanted my son to feel like I was blaming him for wetting the bed. GoodNites Pants is a more manageable solution to bedwetting for my family. They help keep your child both comfortable and confident and allow you to rest easy knowing they’re dry.
And last, but not least: “It’s all about the pee” Myth. Sometimes it is actually about, pardon my French, the poo The inner biology of a child is interwoven and their inability to control their bladder can sometimes be due to… chronic constipation. So always check with your pediatrician, and if they recommend it—-be thorough and have your child’s whole physiology checked out.
My son is not ashamed of his experiences having wet the bed. He will actually tell anyone about it who is willing and interested to listen.
He is particularly happy that the one who listens to him is me. In the process, I have learned something and our connection grows stronger.
***
This post was sponsored by GoodNites®. All opinions are my own.
—
This post is republished on Medium.
***
The Good Men Project gives people the insights, tools, and skills to survive, prosper and thrive in today’s changing world. A world that is changing faster than most people can keep up with that change. A world where jobs are changing, gender roles are changing, and stereotypes are being upended. A world that is growing more diverse and inclusive. A world where working towards equality will become a core competence. We’ve built a community of millions of people from around the globe who believe in this path forward. Thanks for joining The Good Men Project.
Support us on Patreon and we will support you and your writing! Tools to improve your writing and platform-building skills, a community to get you connected, and direct access to our editors and publisher. Your support will help us build a better, more inclusive world for all.
***
Photo credit: iStock
