My friend has a daughter, and she's tearing her hair out because the girl has begun wetting the bed again after a 3-year hiatus (she's now 7).
Nobody seems to be able to figure out what's triggered this relapse, but the mom is going crazy, and her daughter is terrifically ashamed. Do any of you have suggestions or opinions or experience with such things? What options are out there for kids who are no longer "babies" and who, when the topic is mentioned, simply get even more upset/embarassed?
Did your friend make sure
Did your friend make sure there is nothing medically wrong with her daughter? It could be a bladder infection or urinary tract issue. If not, then there might be something she is stressed about-some kind of change in her life. I know that kids will start wetting the bed for a number of emotional reasons-divorce, parents fighting, stress, something going on at school. If she is stressing about the bedwetting itself that will only make it worse. Her mom is better off, after making sure there is nothing medically wrong, not stressing about it and not letting her child be ashamed of it or stressed about it. Huggies makes disposable, discreet pink shorts for girls that come in larger sizes that she could wear until the problem goes away. I use them for my four year old who still wets the bed at night sometimes and they work great. I got them at Target in the diaper section so maybe her mom could buy some and try them. Of course, not with her daughter along since they are in the baby section.
I agree about ruling out any
I agree about ruling out any medical problems or emotional ones (something tramatic like a divorce, death in the family, etc.)
Then I think it's best not to focus on it. I think the child needs a lot of comforting and support right now.
Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 7 and 3.