Managing the Christmas holidays with a bedwetting child or teen
The Christmas season is a magical time of year, full of excitement, togetherness, and treasured family traditions. Yet, for parents of a child or teenager who wets the bed, the festive period can also bring a unique set of worries and challenges. Whether it’s hosting guests, staying with family, or accepting sleepover invitations, there’s often a concern that this private issue might become a source of embarrassment or upset.
Rest assured, bedwetting is far more common than you may realise, and with the right mindset and a few practical strategies, it’s possible to navigate the holidays calmly and confidently. Remember, as a parent, you’re not only helping your child feel secure – you’re also laying the foundation for their confidence and self-esteem, which will serve them well into adulthood.
1. Managing Overnight Guests or Family Visits
When relatives come to stay, or you visit someone else’s home, the usual sense of privacy can feel compromised. Your child may worry about being discovered, which can create unnecessary stress.
What You Can Do:
Reassure your child ahead of time that you have everything under control. Let them know that bedwetting is a common childhood occurrence and nothing to be ashamed of.
Plan for practical solutions that will help your child feel comfortable and confident. Use discreet waterproof mattress protectors and bed pads or perhaps a sleeping bag with a waterproof liner to make things easier and less obvious.
Create a private sleeping space for your child even in a shared room, perhaps by putting up a partition or screen. If this is not possible, how about moving a book case or a piece of furniture to section areas off.
Let your child know you’re on their team. If accidents happen, stay calm and reassuring.
2. Sleepovers with Friends
Christmas often brings party invitations or sleepovers with friends, which can be particularly daunting for children or teens who wet the bed. They might feel left out or tempted to turn down invitations to avoid embarrassment.
What You Can Do:
Practice overnight scenarios at home, helping your child discreetly manage any potential accidents. Remind them to use the bathroom again just before settling down to sleep - in a strange house, they may be slightly reluctant to do this.
Have them take their own sleeping bag to the event as this gives you the option of tucking spare pull-up pants and plastic bags into the bottom of it. Your child can slip these on and off once they’re hidden in the bag.
Pack a small bag with essentials such as spare underwear and wet wipes. Remind them they can quietly excuse themselves to deal with any accidents.
Bring along comforts from home, like their favourite pillow or blanket, to ease nighttime anxiety.
Role-play ways they might handle questions from friends. A simple, “I just have to set up my sleeping bag” can deflect attention without explaining further.
Remind your child that friends won’t notice or care nearly as much as they fear. Most children are far more concerned with the fun they’re having!
Fostering a Positive Mindset
The way you approach bedwetting makes a world of difference to your child’s confidence. Keep conversations calm, practical, and free from shame or frustration. Avoid drawing unnecessary attention to the issue and instead focus on the many wonderful aspects of the holiday season.
For example, rather than dwelling on accidents, celebrate how well your child managed to pack their supplies or deal with a situation quietly. Small acknowledgements like, “You handled that really maturely, I’m so proud of you,” go a long way in building their resilience.
If trusted family members need to know about the situation, choose your words carefully to protect your child’s dignity. A simple, “We’ve got a few nighttime routines in place for comfort,” is enough. There’s no need to over-explain.
NEED MORE HELP?
CHECK OUT THE ONLINE PROGRAMMES TO HELP YOUR CHILD OR TEEN SOLVE BEDWETTING FASTER.
Alicia Eaton is a Psychotherapist specialising in helping families with Emotional Wellbeing and Behaviour Change based in London’s Harley Street. She is the author of 4 best-selling books including “Stop Bedwetting in 7 days” which is recommended by hospitals and clinicians around the world and has also created online training programmes for both children and teenagers. Other best-selling books include ‘First Aid for your Child’s Mind’ now translated into seven different languages. She is also a Winner in the ‘Global Health & Pharma’ mental health awards for 2023 and 2024.
For more details see www.aliciaeaton.co.uk