Older Children,Bed-Wetting,Diapers,and Discretion: How to Handle Babysitters and Other Issues-part 2

At this point I would like to talk about nannies. Manybed-wetting and other forms of incontinence have
parents use nannies and au pairs to take care ofdealt with these types of concerns and should be
their children. Since the nannies live with the familyable to provide suggestions about how to be discreet
and are responsible for doing chores around theabout the bed-wetting and diaper use. It might be a
house such as laundry it is impossible for them not togood idea to post a question on the forum of the
be aware of the child having a bed-wetting problemIncontinence Resource Center and see if they have
and being involved with taking care of the wet items.additional ideas about this matter. Their web address
Since there are a large number of children that wetis
the bed I'm sure this is not a big deal. However if theRight now I'd like to talk about boarding school. If the
child has to wear pin-on diapers and plastic pants andchild or teen is going away to a boarding school and
since older children are more self-conscious aboutis dealing with bed-wetting the parents need to talk
wearing these styles of diapers, this might need toabout this with the school beforehand. I would tell
be addressed with the agency beforehand. I wouldthem that you have a child who needs special
talk to them and say that you have an older childaccommodations due to a medical problem and ask
that needs to wear pin-on cloth diapers and plasticthem who you would talk to about that. I suspect
pants because they wet the bed. I would mentionthey have a specific individual(perhaps the school
that they might feel self-conscious about the nannynurse) that handles these matters. When you talk to
dealing with these garments and ask them if theythe person responsible for dealing with this subject
have suggestions on how to broach this subject withyou should ask them if the school is set up to wash
the caretaker or if the agency can talk to themdiapers and plastic pants(if the child or teen uses
beforehand about it. Since taking care of childrenthese types of diapers) or should the youngster
requires a person who is highly responsible andwear disposable diapers instead. Another thing to ask
mature I would think that the individual would be ableis if the school can make arrangements for the youth
to handle this in a gracious manner. In addition it's into either share a room with a student with similar
the nanny's best interest nanny to have a reputationissues. If not what sort of steps can be taken to
of being judicious and responsible so they get goodenable the youngster to be discreet about the
references in order to get hired again. Again the childproblem. Given the fact that many
might feel somewhat anxious about this and thechildren,teenagers,and adolescents wet the bed I'm
parent should let them know that you're taking theirsure they're used to dealing with this. Again I would
feelings into consideration and that you'll make surecheck out various parenting and incontinence forums
that the person responsible for taking care of themto see what advice they might have regarding this.
will handle this in a caring manner.The last thing I'd like to talk about is camp. For many
If the child is staying with relatives the parents needyoungsters summer camp can be a real fun
to make a judgement call as far as how they thinkexperience,however it can be nerve wracking for a
the relatives will respond to the child or teen'schild or teen that wets the bed. Again the same
problem. If they feel they will be understanding aboutadvice applies. This is a fairly common situation and
the bed-wetting and diaper use the parents canmost camps should be well versed in how to handle
disclose this to them. If however they think they willit. There are camps that deal specifically with youths
not respond in a positive manner the parents need towith bed-wetting and other incontinence issues. One
come up with a plan to help the bed-wetter keepof these camps is called Camp Brandon for Boys.
the problem private. Perhaps the child can wearHere is their contact information: 14 Jerry Drive,
disposable diapers and dispose of them in a garbagePlattsburgh NY 12901. Their phone number is (518)
bag. The youngster can double bag to make sure570-5184. I couldn't find a web address for them.
that there's no telltale odor. The child can put them inAnother camp for children with bed-wetting issues is
a a garbage bag,spray some Lysol or otherCamp Kirk in Canada. Their web address is There is a
disinfectant in the bag,tie the bag up,then put thatresource that lists camps for youth with special
bag in another garbage bag. You should find out ifneeds called which is an online summer camp
the child will be sharing a room before hand so youdirectory. Both Camp Kirk and Camp Brandon were
can devise a plan to keep the issue private. Hopefullylisted on their website. Their web address is If you
the parents will have a close enough relationshipdo a Google search you might be able to come up
where they can discuss this issue beforehand.with other camps of a similar nature or if you contact
Unfortunately not all people are understanding aboutthey might have suggestions about resources to
this problem and if the parents of the child feel theycontact that may have camps not listed on their site.
might not be supportive then it might be best toBed-Wetting and the use of diapers to manage it
follow the suggestions mentioned earlier. Incontinencedoesn't have to be a stressful experience. With
and parenting forums are a good place to getappropriate preparation it can be dealt with in a way
suggestions about these types of issues.that allows the child to maintain their dignity. It's
Incontinence Resource Center has a forum whereimportant for the youngster have a strong support
you can ask questions about incontinence andsystem. This will go a long way in helping him or her
incontinence products. Many people suffering fromfeel less self-conscious about this problem.