Bedwetting and School Camp

Practical Steps to Help With Bedwetting and School Camp

School camp is an exciting milestone for kids, offering a taste of adventure and independence. However, for some children, the anticipation of fun and freedom is accompanied by a terrible dread:

“What if I wet the bed?!”

Bedwetting at school camp may become a cause for concern at around age nine or ten when many children will get the opportunity to go away with school for a few days. This can be an incredibly stressful time for your child.

They desperately want to go to school camp, to have fun with their friends, but can they risk it? Your child may feel unable to talk to anyone about the problem for fear of being ridiculed. Their self-esteem can also be affected as they start to wonder why they are different from everyone else.

The truth is that several other children in their school will be experiencing the same fears. It’s important to know that bedwetting is a common issue among children, and they are not the only ones facing it, even if it feels that way. If your child is facing this challenge, you’re not alone, and there are practical steps you can take to support them.

How to Deal With Bedwetting and School Camp

In an ideal world, you would have plenty of time to help your child overcome bedwetting well before camp begins. But what if school camp is quickly approaching and your child hasn’t had enough time to address their bedwetting?

Not to worry—all is not lost. There are effective strategies available to discreetly manage the situation and minimize the likelihood of anyone finding out. And it can help reassure your child that all situations are covered.

Tips to Help Your Child Through School Camp

Navigating Bedwetting Concerns

Understand Concerns: Always be supportive and sensitive to your child’s concerns about bedwetting when away from home.
Temporary Medication: Consider visiting a doctor to explore temporary bedwetting medications like Desmopressin, which can prevent incidents during events such as school camps, summer camps, or sleepovers. Trial this before camp.
Inform Teachers: Communicate with the camp teacher about your child’s needs early on. It’s important they are aware and can provide the necessary support discreetly.
Common Issue: Acknowledge that bedwetting is a common issue among children of all ages. There will likely be other children at camp experiencing the same, helping to normalize the situation for your child.

Managing Bedwetting at Camp

Dietary Recommendations: Encourage your child to avoid milk, cola, fizzy drinks, coffee, or juice at camp, as these can contribute to wet nights. Instead, focus on hydrating with water, particularly in the morning and early afternoon. Limit liquid intake to just sips an hour or two before bedtime to help ensure a dry night.
Encourage Regular Bathroom Visits: Children often stay up late talking at camps. Remind your child to use the toilet after an evening of chatting and to repeat this if they continue talking. This habit can help prevent bedwetting incidents during the night.
Mental and Physical Preparation: Encourage your child to mentally prepare for a dry night by imagining their brain and bladder working together while they sleep. Practice different tactics before going to camp to find what works best.

Discreet Management Strategies

Sleeping Arrangements: A sleeping bag can easily conceal a pull-up or absorbent pants. Additionally, consider placing a waterproof mattress liner or purchasing a 100% waterproof sleeping bag liner for added protection.
Alternative to Traditional Nappies: Instead of using nappies or pull-ups, consider alternatives like Connie Kids Tackers, or bedwetting pyjamas. Test these options at home before your child attends camp to ensure they work effectively.
Packing Essentials: Pack several changes of night-time clothes, a few pull-ups or alternatives (note: pull-ups are quieter than nappies), and perhaps a large-pocketed dressing gown. It’s helpful to have a waterproof bag to discreetly dispose of used pull-ups. Ensure the bag doesn’t make too much noise when moved. Wearing baggy pyjamas with a long top covering the bottom area may also help to conceal a pull-up. Avoid packing all-in-one pyjamas such as Onesies, as they make going to the toilet more challenging at night.
Hygiene and Convenience: Include wipes for hygiene and a torch for nighttime trips to the bathroom. Encourage your child to locate the toilets relative to the sleeping area before bedtime to facilitate easier access at night. If possible, discreetly dispose of the pull-up before everyone else gets up, or at least get it in the waterproof bag.

Enjoy the Camp Experience

Most importantly, remind your child that enjoying camp is the top priority. These strategies are meant to support their comfort and confidence while they participate in all the fun activities camp has to offer. By incorporating these tips, you can help your child feel more prepared and confident about managing bedwetting while enjoying their time at school camp.

Take Action to Stop Bedwetting ASAP

Pressure to stop wetting the bed can be counterproductive that’s why it is important to get help for bedwetting as early as possible. Starting early helps your child get used to dry nights. More importantly, it gives them time to feel confident about staying dry, even when they’re not at home.

Find out how to stop bedwetting with these bedwetting tips and explore whether deep sleep causes wet nights. Help your child stop bedwetting long before school camp by taking the following steps:-

Take your child to the doctor and rule out any medical issues.
Find a bedwetting program that suits your family and get started.
Normalise bedwetting by explaining that they aren’t alone in this situation.
Remain positive, supportive, and compassionate.
Once your child is consistently dry, avoid using any kind of nappy again, as it could lead to a setback.

See How My Program Can Help Your Child Stop Bedwetting

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Conclusion

If your child starts to worry as camp approaches, offer heaps of support and kindness. Review the strategies outlined above and choose the ones that feel right for your child. Trial and discuss the preparations you’ve made together, such as using protective bedding or creating a plan for discreetly managing bedwetting. It’s important to reassure them that they are not alone in this and that other children face similar challenges.

Addressing bedwetting well before camp starts can significantly take the worry out of bedwetting at school camp, potentially making it a non-issue. This early preparation allows your child to have time to learn how to stop bedwetting and gain confidence in their ability to stay dry during camp.

By tackling this issue together, you’re not just helping your child manage bedwetting; you’re also empowering them to fully enjoy their camp experience with confidence.

Ginny Laver

Ginny Laver BA (Hons), MSc, NLP, Dip. THP is a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner who specialises in helping children learn how to stop bedwetting naturally.

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If your child is a bedwetter and has attended school or summer camp, how was their experience? Do you have any tips or advice to share? Please leave a comment below.

Your insights could be incredibly helpful to other parents facing similar challenges.