12 Year Old with Bedwetting

"My daughter will be 13 in June and is still wetting the bed. We bought a wearable sound and vibrating alarm around 5 years ago and tried it then. She hated it and has convinced herself that it won't work.

I believe that your system works, it makes sense, but how do I convince a 12 year old that this is the solution? I wake her every night to go to the bathroom, but sometimes that doesn't work.

I think you can begin by discussing how her body has matured and changed in the last 5 years. Her response to a bedwetting alarm will most likely be very different from what you observed when she was 7 years old.

Next, you might try a different style of alarm. Since she did not respond well to a wearable alarm, try a wireless alarm.

The Rodger wireless alarm has no wires, and features specially designed sensor underwear that fit and feel like regular underwear. She simply puts on the underwear at bedtime and turns on the receiver, which is plugged into the wall. The receiver sounds when moisture is detected anywhere on the underwear.

Your (parent's) response is still important, even at this age. She may not hear the alarm, even though it is loud, or may not be able to process what needs to be done. Go to her room when you hear the alarm and make sure she gets up, turns it off and walks to the bathroom. (If your room is far from hers, you can buy a second receiver for your room or even use a baby monitor.)

Over time your role will be less important and she will learn to do this by herself.

Lastly, discuss normal progress and what to expect. The average child takes 10-12 weeks to become completely dry. She needs to commit to using the alarm every night for a few months.

Patience and persistence are important, but using this bedwetting alarm now will save her from dealing with this problem for years to come.