Free Website Content » Home and Family » Parenting Articles

Bedwetting: The Great Diaper Dependency Experiment

Some of the parenting websites I read regularly have recently featured discussions about something called diaper dependency.

Now I've got to tell you right out - this isn't a term I ever even dreamt would be in my vocabulary when I became a mom. Chalk it up to being just one more of the surprising things about being a parent - right? Basically, the diaper dependency theory says that kids who wet the bed, if they wear pull-ups or diapers (nappies to our friends across the pond), wet because they know they can. Their little minds figure dryness isn't worth a middle of the night trip to the loo, and since they're protected anyway... the theory says.

This idea makes me nervous. At the root, it sounds like it hints that after a while, enuretic kids only wet the bed from laziness, apathy, or choice. We are so not going there! For anyone who's got a child with enuresis, we know this is a crazy stance to take. Sure, on any given day, my child can be as lazy as a log, headache-inducingly apathetic, and even cantankerous - but so can every other child I've ever seen. But there's a big difference between not wanting to clean his room, do the dishes, or get all his homework done before knocking off for the day, and simply deciding, "What the hay... the bathroom's just not convenient enough, so I'll wet my bed."

The urge to be lazy is simply not an enticing enough tradeoff for waking up in a wet bed.

But wait! Let's not throw this baby out with the bathwater. If you think back to the days of potty-training your little ones, there's a parallel to the diaper dependency theory. Those super-absorbent pull-ups made it pretty hard for the kids to know whether they'd had an accident. In the staying dry process, the day comes when you've got to chuck the pull-ups and try flying without a net. I started wondering whether it could it be the same thing with sleepwetting - maybe if he could feel it happening, he could stop.

So, it was time to try an experiment. As he reached the age of being between pull-up sizes (too small for adult sizes; too big for kid sizes), it might be time for a break.

The idea - see what happens if he went without pull-ups for a few days.

It wasn't really a big deal to try this for a few days:
* My laundry routine was already in full gear, so a few more sets of sheets wouldn't even be noticeable.
* His mattress was fully protected, so it didn't do any harm.
* He's already a very responsible kid, and takes care of his own bathing and clean-up.
* I also made a solemn promise not to complain if it didn't work.

Who knows - stranger things have happened, right? Maybe this would be the thing that works. Some kids just reach a certain age and their enuresis troubles disappear. Could this be the perfect storm situation that leads to dry nights?

Nope. It didn't work at all.

No harm done, and nobody was any worse for the wear. And we learned some things - first of all that the whole diaper dependency business is just plain silly. The experiment also led us to try again with a bedwetting alarm (we tried a couple several years ago, but found that either the sensor died quickly, or the alarm was unreliable and hard to shut off). And we found some other sources for pull-ups that'll work better than the ones at the grocery store.

What was his take on all of this?

This is probably the best part. It's been no bed of roses for him, but it does seem to have made him a more compassionate kid. When he knows another kid has medical problems or challenges, he's always kind and sensitive to their feelings. He's also gotten pretty verbal about his bedwetting problem - and, thankfully, calls me on it if I ever complain or say something to make him feel bad about it. (Yes, I'm still learning to master my own mouth, and don't always do it right.)

And get this - he's even written his own book about a kid with bedwetting challenges. It'll be published soon on my site, and we're hoping it will help other kids who have the same struggles. This is his first attempt to help other bedwetting kids, and gives me just one more reason to be a very proud mom.

Send this page to:

Author Bio
Sue LaPointe is the owner of BedWettingHelpforMoms.com – a site aimed at encouraging, supporting, and educating parents of bedwetters. Request your copy of the free report "Got a Bedwetter? Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid."

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com - Free Website Content

Related Parenting Articles

The Bush Doctrine of Parenting
When it comes to parenting and the dangers facing teens, some parents have begun implementing their own version of the "Bush Doctrine" using home drug testing and other creative ways to protect their teens.

Is Home Drug Testing a Parental Necessity or Overreaction?
Are parents using home drug test kits going too far or are they simply being responsible?

Expect and Inspect: How to Protect Your Teen in Three Easy Steps
This article shares three easy ways to protect teens from reckless driving tnedencies, internet predators, and substance abuse.

The Pros and Cons of In-Vitro Fertilization
Modern science and medicine has made it possible for many women to conceive that otherwise would be unable to bear children. If you are considering anything other than a natural pregnancy, explore the pros and cons of in-vitro fertilization first.

Fast Food Mom
As a working mom, your schedule is a hectic one. Some days, there just isn't enough time to prepare a nutritious dinner. How can you make healthy food choices on the run for you and your family without feeling guilty?

Growing Kids of Character
Character Development is all about wanting the best for children, helping them develop strong ethics and high moral standards. But it's not easy to grow caring, trustworthy, honest kids in today's world.

Things to Tell Children Who Don't Believe in Santa
Every single Christmas, we get at least one email from a parent whose child has stopped believing in Santa. This article has been written to help parents answer some of the difficult questions that disbelieving children ask.