Because of my daughter needing to cath intermittingly they had her use the bathroom in the office. That way no one knew anything. You can also have this put on the IEP that he will be allowed to use the Office restroom. IF they tell you you that he can't please let me know . I am an volunteer advocate for parents and I know the parents rights for their children. Having the woman who wrote the bill for challenged chidlren to be mainstreamed as one of my friends really gave me a lot of wisdom. Hugs & Blessings, Angelunaware

Hi

I've had to deal with incontinence my entire life -long before Depends came out. My advice to you is talk to his principal, teachers, and explain his medical stuff to them. Then take a change of clothes to school and put them somewhere no other kids know about.

Your son will be teased - unfortunatly kids are cruel and so are some adults. Teach you son that no matter what anyone says or does he is important in this world and that he is loved.

My mom went to the schools and talked to all the kids about my incontenance and it made it worse for me so I don't recommend it. But do talk with the teachers. He can be put on a program so that he goes to the bathroom so many times a day and he eats and drinks certain things and then if he does have issues he will learn that peoples words do hurt but he needs to believe in himself and know that he is needed in this world no matter what.

Its going to be hard for both of you but you will get through this. He will learn little tricks to help him cope believe me kids are smart!

Make sure someone listens to what he is saying and feeling- it is important to acknoledge his feelings.

Good Luck! Chin Up! and have faith in him and you!

As odd as it sounds, I used absorbant feminine pads as opposed to wearing diapers.

I realize that your son is male, so it might cause some problems either way but it is another suggestion

I agree with Angeluna. I dealt with this as a boy growing up. I used to "hide" in the nurses office to cath myself. Kept a change of clothes, bath towel, wash clothes, etc there too. She was wonderful about it. Also had a note on hand in the office to cover my butt. As for Tanrock, it might be embarrassing, but not a wacky thought. I wear a thin version of an incontinence pad now. I am 31 now, and it's not an issue anymore.

My son Cameron is also in the first grade. He wears xl "goodnights" as he is 78 lbs. and even the largest pull-ups don't fit him. Plus, the goodnights are more absorbent. Camerons teacher is very understanding. What she has arranged with Cameron is that he has a small tote bag which he keeps outside the classroom in this little cabinet that the teacher stores some of her supplies in. In this tote bag, Cameron keeps the pullups, wipes, change of clothes, and plastic grocery bags to dispose of the dirty pullup. He gets a bathroom pass at 10:00 am , and 1:00 pm and goes to change himself at times when the entire class is busy doing schoolwork and he gets his bag from outside the classroom so his classmates dont even know what he is doing. Although Cameron did come home last week from school and told me that a classmate saw his totebag and asked him what it was for, and Cameron told the kid that "his mom bought him a REALLY big new lunchbox!" LOL
I worry about the teasing too, but really all I can do is reassure Cameron that he is a normal, smart, loveable, friendly boy and try to give him the self confidence AND knowledge about his medical condition to be able to deal with the bullies. I really don't know what else to do.

I am 38 years old. Have full time job and still deal with this issue. One way I deal with is I watch what I eat. I eat very little fiber during the week. Sometimes i hate having to watch it but that is life.
You know in school not a kid one teased me about that. In fact more than one covered for me when I had problem.

KL, I didnt have people to "cover" for me until I was in 8th grade, then thru high school. But you're right, I also "try" to watch what I eat during the work week. Staying away from spicy or fibrous foods is the biggest thing. I've gotten pretty good at it.

I think I jinxed myself by my last post on this thread! LOL Wouldn't you know, the VERY NEXT DAY after posting that "I try to watch what I eat"...I didn't do that, and had an issue in public! :(

When I was growing up I had an illiostomy (we called it a bag since it was an open flesh wound that drained continually into a bag. Many many times the bag "broke" and I was covered with urine. I also have a bowel that doesn't work correctly. I have no control over either one. I had surgery to reconstruct my bladder in 1987 and now I cath. My bowel is still the same. What I did was carry a backpack of cloths and equipment to change. I used the school gem shower and my principle would stand outside and make sure no one came in. He was very helpful in making sure I handled the stress. I was the first kid with a disability in my grade school and my male principle did everything he could to help me. Many times I had "accidents" and he told me - when people tease you, you just stand up to them and tell them they are ignorant to being a kind person and it was their problem if they didn't understand. Yes I got teased alot and yes it hurt but it taught me a valuable lessen, you are who God made you to be and if other people don't like you that is their problem. Hang in their she will learn to handle it her way.