Self-esteem is all about how people perceive themselves and how worthwhile they feel. Self-esteem is significant because feeling great about yourself can affect how you act. A person who has a healthy self-esteem will be more at ease in social situations, is more in control of his/her actions, and will lead a more fulfilling life. Teenage years can be an awkward stage between childhood and adulthood and unfortunately bedwetting can have a major negative effect on your teenage child’s self-esteem.
Your child’s teenage years are difficult enough, filled with social awkwardness, angst and self-doubt. Any instances of bedwetting can be very embarrassing and heighten the feeling of isolation that your child may feel, especially as often your teen will consider bedwetting a condition that he/she should have grown out of years ago. This is a period of time when teenagers need their parents support more than ever particularly if they still suffer from bedwetting.
If your teenage child’s self-esteem is particularly low due to the onset of bedwetting there are several things you can do to try and boost his/her mood:
- When you feel happy with your child, express that happiness and love to your child in an honest and open way, often parents express their negative sentiments while refraining from verbalising their love and admiration for their child
- Suggest that your child repeats self-affirming statements when their self-esteem is particularly low, try and get them to say such things like “I can pass this test” or “I feel really good today”
- Avoid any criticism that shames or makes your child feel embarrassed about themselves. As an extension of this, try to mention his/her bedwetting as little as possible
- Together, work out a plan to help prevent bedwetting incidents in the future, this could mean a new house rule of no fluids after 7pm, or keeping a journal of when the bedwetting occurs. Having a strategy to reduce / stop bedwetting can help with a teenagers peace of mind
- Try some of the bedwetting products that help minimise fuss, for example mattress protectors or Drynites Pyjama Pants
In essence if bedwetting affects your teenage child, you’ll need to pay extra attention to his/her moods and behaviour. If you notice any lingering periods of depression or sadness you may need to have a heart-to-heart with your child and explore some of the different treatment options on offer. If the depression persists, then seeking the council of a professional medical practitioner may be your best option.
