Q. My parents say I wet the bed because I’m just lazy. I know I’m not lazy. Why do I wet the bed?

A. It is not your fault that you wet the bed. You can’t help it. Bedwetting happens when a person sleeps so deeply that their brain can’t keep the bladder closed when it’s full. If the brain does not send the signal, the bladder opens and bedwetting happens.

Q. I feel really different because I wet the bed and feel like I’m the only kid in the world who does it. How do other kids with the problem feel about themselves?

A. Very much like you do. But you are not alone. Millions of children and even adults have the problem. It’s not their fault; bedwetters can’t help it. Their brains sleep so deeply that they can’t keep the bladder closed at night during sleep. You are not responsible for how your brain sleeps. You probably inherited your “sleepy brain” from a close relative – mom, dad, grandparent, uncle.

Q. I sometimes have “accidents” during the day. It just “happens”; I can’t hold it. My parents say I just don’t pay attention when I have to “go”. What is wrong with me? Are they right?

A. Kids who have accidents are not waiting too long to go to the bathroom or not paying attention. Daytime accidents happen because your bladder muscle is so weak and so sensitive to the urge to “go” that every urge to go is super strong and does not give you any time to hold. It’s not your fault!

Q. I’m ten years old and I wet the bed. My five year old little brother does not. I’m afraid he will tell my friends about my problem.

A. Have your parents tell your brother that the bedwetting should be a private family matter. All kids who wet the bed are afraid their friends will find out and tease them. The sooner you get help the sooner you won’t have to be afraid of this.

Q. My teacher says I’m not paying attention at school. I really want to, but I just can’t. What is wrong with me?

A. A. You are having trouble in school because your sleepy brain is not allowing good rest at night. Too much deep sleep can make you feel tired when you wake up and can cause your mind to wander when it needs to be paying attention.

Q. My parents say that my pull-ups are the way to take care of my bedwetting. I’m nine years old and I wear a diaper. My bed is dry, but I am not! How can I let my parents know that my problem is still there even if my bed is dry?

A. If you feel sad or upset when you wake up in a wet diaper, share this with your parents. They want to help you. If you feel poorly about yourself, your parents would want to know.

Q. I’m supposed to go away on my first overnight at camp this summer. I’m going to tell my parents I don’t want to go because I am afraid my cabin mates will find out about my bedwetting. I really want to go to camp, but if I don’t go and ….. Will I ever get to go to overnight camp?

A. Kids who wet the bed are always afraid that someone will find out about the problem, so they avoid activities and plans where they could be “found out”. You are not alone with your fear. We can help you stop the bedwetting and stop being afraid.