How to Help Your Child Stay Dry at Night (Without Stress or Shame!)

Bedwetting can be frustrating for parents—but it’s even more frustrating for kids. Waking up in a wet bed can feel embarrassing, discouraging, and out of their control.

The good news? Bedwetting isn’t their fault—and there are ways to help them stay dry without stress, pressure, or shame.

Here’s how you can support your child through this journey while building their confidence at the same time!

Why Does Bedwetting Feel So Embarrassing?

Many kids who wet the bed feel like something is wrong with them, especially if they have siblings or friends who stay dry overnight.

Common worries kids have about bedwetting:

“What if my friends find out?”

“Why can’t I stop this? Am I broken?”

“I don’t want my parents to be mad at me.”

Unfortunately, some kids start avoiding sleepovers, camp, or even vacations because they’re worried about having an accident.

That’s why it’s so important to handle bedwetting in a supportive way—so kids know it’s just a phase and that there’s a clear way forward.

5 Ways to Help Your Child Stay Dry (Without Shame or Stress!)

Talk About It in a Positive Way

If your child feels like bedwetting is something bad they are doing, they’ll start feeling guilty—which can actually make it worse.

How to reframe it:

Instead of “Why did this happen again?” → Try “Your body is still learning! Let’s help it out.”

Instead of “You need to stop wetting the bed.” → Try “Your brain and bladder are learning to work together—this takes time!”

Let them know that many kids go through this, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

Keep the Focus on Solutions, Not Punishments

🚫 Never punish or scold for bedwetting! Your child isn’t doing it on purpose, and adding pressure can make the problem last longer.

What to do instead:

• Make a simple plan together—kids feel better when they have a sense of control.

• Use positive reinforcement instead of punishment (example: a sticker chart for putting in effort with the plan…we never reward dry nights, only efforts, because they have no control over their wetting when theyère sleeping!)

• Let them help with cleanup in a neutral way (example: “Let’s swap the sheets together” instead of making it feel like a consequence).

Set Up the Bedroom for Easy Nighttime Success

Small environment changes can make nighttime easier—and less stressful if an accident happens.

Bedtime Setup Tips:

✔ Use a waterproof mattress protector (so accidents aren’t a big deal).

✔ Have extra PJs and sheets ready for quick changes.

✔ Add a nightlight in the hallway and bathroom (so getting up to pee is easy).

For older kids, a bedwetting alarm can also help train their brain to wake up when their bladder is full (read more about that here!).

Make Hydration & Bathroom Habits Part of the Routine

One of the biggest myths about bedwetting is that kids should stop drinking water before bed. But water is actually the cure!

The Right Way to Drink Water:

• Drink water every two hours.

• Have a big drink of water when you come home from school.

• Don’t drink milk or juice in the 2 hours before bedtime - only water.

• Before bed, drink water.

Water is essential for both bowel and bladder health. In our Time to Get Dry Program we encourage the use of water along with other supportive methods to keep the bladder healthy, and enhance the bladder signalbto the brain.

Encouraging Words to Tell Your Child:

“Lots of kids go through this—you’re not alone!”

“Your brain is learning every night—soon, this will be behind you!”

“We have a plan, and I’m here to help you—we’ll figure this out together!”

Having a clear plan helps kids feel hopeful and in control—instead of just waiting and feeling stuck.

The Bottom Line: Help Them Feel Supported, Not Stressed

Bedwetting isn’t just about staying dry—it’s also about how kids feel about themselves during the process.

Key Takeaways:

✔ Keep a positive, solution-focused attitude.

✔ Avoid shame, punishments, or negative language.

✔ Set up a bedroom routine that makes nighttime easier.

✔ Teach hydration & bathroom habits that set them up for success.

Most kids can wake up dry within a few weeks if they follow a step-by-step plan—and that’s exactly what I teach in my Time to Get Dry Program!