Dear Diary,

Before my daughter started preschool, she started using the potty. She quickly caught on, thanks to the rewards system, sticker chart and Minnie Mouse potty. Nonetheless, I packed a change of clothes just in case she had an accident. I applauded her at preschool pick up when she would run up to greet me wearing the same clothes I sent her to school in. For months, she was accident free. Then, she experienced a potty training remission–had to Google that term, because I wasn’t sure what went wrong! All of the sudden she was wetting her pants–sometimes twice a day. Her teacher told me she wasn’t the only one who had a setback. Her father told me this was normal for co-parented kids. My ex and I share custody, so transitioning every month may have cause some stress. Lately, she hasn’t peed on herself, except at night. When she wakes up in wet sheets, she’s upset. Perhaps she thinks she failed. Perhaps she thinks she’s no longer a “big kid.” So instead of changing sheets and wiping tears every night, I’m tucking her in with Pampers UnderJams and teaching her how to beat bedwetting.

Here’s are five tips to beat bedwetting and boost your child’s self-esteem.

1. Limit Liquids After Eight

My daughter’s bedtime is 8:30 p.m., so after eight, she isn’t allowed to drink anything. She hydrates at dinner and drinks milk during her story time. So, she shouldn’t be thirsty. That doesn’t mean she isn’t surprised when I turn down her request to fill up her cup.

2. Go to the Potty

Even if my toddler tells me she doesn’t have to go to the bathroom, I instruct her to try. And nine times of of ten, she tinkles! Recently, I created a potty training chart to reward her for possessing potty powers! (Soon, you’ll be able to download this chart and more for free on the site!)

3. Assemble a #ConquerBedwetting Arsenal

My daughter feels secure when surrounded with familiar objects, such as her favorite blanket and stuffed animals
. Bedtime underwear also boost her confidence. That’s why I recently picked up a pack of Pampers UnderJams. She likes that a big kid is pictured on the front of the package, because in her own words, she’s my baby but not a baby! UnderJams are designed like underwear to let the skin breathe. Plus, UnderJams absorbent Night Wear features Night Lock™ ultra-absorbent core to help for a dry morning. There’s also a low waist, so only my daughter knows she is wearing them, which is important to her so she can fit in with her older cousins at sleepovers with Grammy and Pap Pap. And ComfortWear is made of a quiet, cloth-like materials for privacy.

4. Shine a Light

Light the way to the potty. Be sure the the path to the bathroom is well-lit and clear of toys or other things that might block your child’s path. Many young children wait until the last minute to go to the bathroom, so every second counts.

5. Have the Talk

Every time my daughter has an accident, she is embarrassed or upset. I hug her and tell her that everyone has accidents. That she’ll have less and less as time goes on. As a parent, I had to educate myself about bedwetting (or enuresis). You can educate yourself  on Pampers’ website, which features expert advice, informative videos and a downloadable children’s book.

 Hey DFTM Fam–What’s your advice on how to #ConquerBedwetting?