I have a nine year old daughter who still wets the bed and wear diapers. Yes, they’re tape on diapers because pull-ups leak. So that part isn’t too uncommon.

We do try to keep it hidden from any babysitters. If we’re not going to be out too late we let her go to bed without a diaper and then I put it on her when we get back. The babysitter doesn’t even know about them.

How did you find out about their diapers?

Thank you for the message Amy. When there parents were leaving and going over the instructors she said they wet the bed and would need help getting there diapers on. At bedtime I could tell they were a little nervous but it went really well.

Do you not trust the babysitter to help your daughter or is it her choice to not have the babysitter help? I understand either way.

It’s her choice. She doesn’t want anyone other than mom, dad, and her brother to know about her diapers and bed wetting, and we try to honor that wish.

As for trusting a babysitter with it - I think it would really depend on how we knew the the babysitter. How much time had you spent with the family before they asked you to put the kids’ diapers on? You said they seemed nervous about it but how did you feel? I’m sure that’s not something you were expecting to have to do when you signed up to babysit two older kids.

I can understand your daughter not wanting others to know about it.

As for this family I have known them for a long time. They go to our church. I just had not sat for them before. When the parents were leaving and they told about the diapers they did say if the boys didn’t want help they could wait till the parents got home. I didn’t mind helping as I’m used to helping with pull-ups, diapers, and other potty related things just with younger kids. When it was time for bed I just grabbed a couple of the diapers as we were walking in there room. I asked if they usually layed on the bed or what and they said yes. I said ok hope on up. The younger of the 2 boys just dropped his underwear and got on the bed. The older boy was the one that seemed a little tense but he didn’t complain. Only took a second to get it done.

I was like Amy’s daughter. I didn’t want anyone other my parents, my sister and my grandma’s to know about my diapers. When I switched from baby (pampers) to youth diapers (with four tapes), I learnt to diaper myself so it was not a problem anymore.
Amy : when you’re going out late maybe you could let your daughter wear pull-ups with plastic pants over it. I hope she’s growing out diapers soon. Good luck to her.

Hey Sarah, Welcome :)
I'm not a parent but I'm an 18 year old 24/7 incontinent sufferer. I've had bed wetting and daytime issues my whole life.
A lot if kids, especially older ones are stuck having to still wear diapers to bed. The problem I had was yes the pull ups and goodnites and underjams just leak a LOT. Not only do the stretch a lot so they don't fit too as tight as you sleep causes them to leak. Also some accidents peeing are just too fast or much for the pull up to absorb quick enough. I've had plenty of those accidents myself. It's like if it can't absorb quick enough, the pee flows out the sides and leaks. For the longest time, I had a rule where if I could go (pee) in the bathroom right BEFORE bed, then I could wear a pull up but if I couldn't, then it had to be a diaper. I hated the rule then but now I understand more.
No one likes wearing diapers to bed, especially older kids but its not like we have many choices that actually work. Pull ups also cost a bit more too so at least with my patents, they hated buying me something that hardly ever worked! I don't blame them.
I'm happy the babysitting went well for you that night. Glad you handled it as best as you could and kept it discreet and calm for the boys. As they get to know you better, I'm sure they feel more comfortable around you and the bedwetting won't seem like such a big thing!
Hope this kinda helps, :)
Cassie

It's great for most kids that they grow out of bedwetting early in life, but some of us carry on later. And these boys at 10 and 12 are quite common tbh and as long as you treat the issue sensitively then it's all cool.
Not all of us wear protective stuff though, like I have pullups for staying over or on holiday but the rest of the time I just wear ordinary stuff to bed and at the moment I'm using an alarm to wake me if I wet.
But you're doing the right thing by just treating it as normal and that way the kids will trust you.
I don't know if you still ever wet at night but if you do you will understand what they feel like.

Thanks for your message. No I don’t wet the bed. But I do treat everyone how I would want to be treated. For the smaller kids I call there diapers or pull ups Super Power Pants. They love it. I tell them only very special kids get them and they give them special powers. Now some kids ask to get there Super Power Pants on as soon as I get there. There parents are always shocked because some of them usually fuss with there parents about wearing them.