Reply from Joan, Child's Age 13 - 3/10/02 - IP#: 80.225.29.29John – I have something else to add to what Maggie said in her reply, which I am sure she would agree with. We all tend to use the term “bedwetting” for kids, teenagers and even adults who wet at night. This is misleading, especially if diapers/nappies or other forms of protection are used, because the bed does not get wet in these circumstances, only the diaper/nappy does. The correct term should be sleep wetting. Therefore, even if my son Tom didn’t have the frustrating habit of declaring that he needed a toilet three minutes before wetting his pants, if he hadn’t reached one in time, I would still nappy him for long car journeys. This is because, like many youngsters/teenagers, he often dozes off during long boring car trips, and once he is asleep, he is just as likely to sleep wet as he is when he is asleep in bed. Yes, many parents do diaper/nappy their sleep wetting kids for convenience in such circumstances, but there is also the peace of mind element, knowing that if they do sleep wet, they will not wet their pants and ruin the car seats. Like Maggie, I only nappy Tom when there is a real risk that he will wet. When he is at home or at school, or anywhere else within a couple of minutes reach of a toilet, he wears normal boy’s underpants. I certainly don’t leave him in his night nappies until lunchtime as you suggested. You say that you wish you had done things differently with Michael, but you don’t say how. If you have learnt some vital lessons, please let us all know. We would appreciate any inputs. |