The Life of Dad community always finds love, solace, humor and support in the voice of fathers, brothers and sons – this is the foundation in which we’re built. Every now and again, an opportunity jumps out at us that makes us realize that maybe we’re not the best equipped to tell a certain story…

The following piece is written by Lucy Riles, a devoted and loving mom of three and matriarch to the Life of Dad family…

Imagine that you are 10-years old and get invited to a birthday party.

And it’s not just any party, it’s a sleepover. For most kids, that would certainly be the highlight of their week… unless of course, you still wet the bed. The inability to hold it through the night coupled with the mere word “sleepover” would most likely send you into a panic… the worry about the humiliating conversation, having to tell a friend’s mom that you accidentally wet the bed. The overwhelming embarrassment that would set over you the next morning, just hoping and praying that you somehow managed to wake up before everyone else – so you could discreetly change into a pair of dry pajamas, roll up your wet sleeping bag and potentially avoid ridicule that would follow on Monday at school.

That debilitating and somber feeling of having to pack a sleepover bag that includes two sets of pajamas and two garbage bags – one for the wet clothes and another to place under the sleeping bag – is an experience no child should have to endure. Because of the wealth of emotions and crushing stress, they chose to opt out of many sleepovers… but they’re a 10-year old child who wanted desperately to be just like her friends.

I know this problem all too well.

This 10-year old was me.

 

For years, I carried such shame in this “problem” that I had no control over, thinking something was wrong with me… It wasn’t until much later when I learned my own mom, older siblings, nieces and nephews also struggled with bedwetting. I even remember meeting my best friend in college and how we bonded over the fact that we both had the same struggle. Suddenly my “problem” was normalized and the shame was finally lifted…

Now, I am a mom to three amazing kids. And wouldn’t you know it? My past has come full-circle, but this time, I’m ready. One of them is a bedwetter like his mom once was… and you know what? That’s okay. Nighttime wetting is most often a developmental issue that, in time, children grow out of – so parents and children – there’s no reason to stress about it!

Wetting the bed isn’t a topic that many people talk about, but if they did they would realize they’re not alone. In fact, 1 in 6 children between the ages of 4 and 12 experience it. The difference between when I was a child and now is that there’s a fantastic solution – GoodNites Nighttime Underwear. They’re disposable nighttime underwear that are discreet and easy to use, designed to provide your child with outstanding nighttime protection. GoodNites size L/XL are also 40% more absorbent than the leading 4T-5T training pants. They also offer age appropriate designs for older kids, as an added layer of comfort.

 

When my child is invited to a sleepover now, there is no panic, dread or worry… I simply pack his pajamas (only one pair needed), a sleeping bag and one GoodNites NightTime Underwear.

When it’s time for bed, he changes into his nighttime underwear, covers them up with his PJs in the bathroom and we can both rest easy knowing he feels comfortable and confident overnight. No garbage bags to lay down, no embarrassing conversations with parents and most importantly, he feels no shame.

I wish that GoodNites were around when I grew up in the 80’s, but that’s water under the bridge. Today…I’m grateful that my son doesn’t have to walk the same road that I did…

EDITOR’S NOTE: This was a sponsored post on behalf of GoodNites. For more information on them, check them out on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of GoodNites. The opinions and text are all mine.