True Confessions of a Bed-Wetter

Many of you have written us about the problem of your older children wetting their beds. Through our extensive social outreach we have persuaded one of these tormented souls to go public with her confession. You will read in her very own words the chronicle of her bitter struggle to rise above domestic shame and a wet mattress.

“When I was growing up I wet on the bed. I hated wetting on the bed and would have done anything to be able to stop. I played hard and I slept hard. I simply could not wake up! No amount of medication, discipline, or shaming could change my personality. Today, I still run the days course like the road runner himself. At night I sleep like the dead. Thankfully, when I was nine years old, my bladder finally learned to adjust.

My mom was a very practical woman. Every night she simply provided me with an old towel to stuff in my under pants, and brought clean sheets every morning. The heavy-duty rubber cover protected the mattress, while my mother protected our secret.

To my shame, I never could spend the night away or go to camp without dread of wetting the bed.

But mom—bless her heart—never added to my shame. She made it as easy as possible on me until nature allowed relief.

To the many hundreds of moms who have written, I just want to say, “Relax,” teach your bedwetting children to privately put on a towel or diaper at night. Remind them to go to the bathroom, but don’t make an issue of it. They hate their problem more than you do. They are the ones who wake up cold, wet, smelly, and embarrassed.

Just like some kids learn to walk late, others need time to grow out of this problem. Remember, someday your child may grow up and write an article on bedwetting, or co-author a book on child training; so make sure you leave a good impression. This has been the confession of Debi Pearl. I do feel better now.