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5 Phrases to Make Your Child Feel Better About Bedwetting
Statements That Have a Positive Impact on Your Child
By Donna Smith
Dr. Dawn Huebner, psychologist and author of What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety (Magination Press, 2006), says the best predictor of when a child will be able to stay dry through the night is when others in the family who wet (parents, uncles, cousins) became dry, but cautions on giving too many details. "There is no need to tell your 7-year-old that he is likely to wet until he is 11 (if that has been the family pattern)," she says. "Simply stick with the fact that he will outgrow it when his body is ready."
Kids will do anything to make adults, and even other kids, proud of them. "They cherish achievement," Dr. Phillips says. "When they have a dry night, they are hesitant to be proud of themselves, often fearing the success will be short lived. When we reinforce the pride they have, they take more stock in it and continue to engage in the effort of beating the bedwetting problem. Additionally, we should do what we can for them to feel proud of themselves, rather than seeking external reward." She recommends saying, "I bet you're so proud of yourself for staying dry!"
Adelaide Zindler, family life strategist and author of Fearless Parenting (David Bauer Press, 2008), suggests parents add more to this phrase. "While this is an affirmation statement, be sure to add something valuable that you are proud of, such as how well they are able to handle stress in general, how they went potty all day, so that they are not confused by this statement and the bedwetting that is being addressed," she says.