Sleepovers and travel

Sleepovers and travel - children

It’s great to be invited to a sleepover with friends – and school camps and trips away can be exciting too! Your child might be nervous about doing something new on their own, or afraid that they might have an ‘accident’ while they are away from home. Don’t worry; they will not be be the only one to feel like this.

Nights away from home, although understandably a source of anxiety, do not have to be avoided. Most school trip organisers are familiar with this problem and can deal with it discreetly.

Parents can sometimes discover that their child stays dry when away from home. Why this is so, is not really known. It may be that in an unfamiliar environment the body is in a greater state of alertness, thus making it easier for children to be aware of the sensation of a full bladder and respond by waking up and holding on.

If you are using a Brolly Sheet at home then pack that in with their overnight bag and extra pair of pyjamas and your child will feel confident that even if they do have an accident it will be easy to deal with in the middle of the night.

Be Bold. Be Positive. Be Proactive. Be Prepared.

Plan it together with your child. Teachers and organizers will help you sort out any worries – and you can ask them to keep things private. Your child may not wet the bed, sometimes just being in a new place can make them wake up if they want a wee. They are not alone, many young people need help when away from home.

A friend may also need help for something; and so your child can help support each other.

Don’t worry, other people have accidents too!

Here are some things to remember when going away that you can discuss with your child:

1. Ask your Mum, Dad to talk to the person in charge of the stay away as soon as possible.

2. You can arrange to be woken before your friends, to deal with any wet beds in private. You may need extra time in the morning to go to the toilet. Together you could arrange a code word or special signal to ask for help and no-one else will know.

3. Don’t forget your medicines if you have any. Lots of other children will have them, and the adult in charge will look after them for you.

4. Your doctor can tell you about a medication called desmopressin. If you wet the bed, it may help you to hold on until morning, but it doesn’t work for everyone. You’ll need to try it before you go away, so that you know if it agrees with you and is of any benefit to you.

5. Remember to have 6-8 drinks a day. Fizzy drinks could make you wee more, so water is best.

6. Don’t forget to take your Brolly Sheet or mattress protector, a water proof top sheet, an extra set of pyjamas, and absorbent underwear – if that is what you use at home. A plastic bag to wrap them up in and take home for mum to wash is also a good idea. Remember, beds and clothing can get wet for many reasons, such as being sweaty, or spilling drinks.

7. If you are using an enuresis alarm, talk to your nurse about what you should do while you are away.

8. If you are going on a long journey by coach or plane, try to sit near a toilet. You may also need extra pads or absorbent pants. A Brolly Sheet can also be used over the car seat on long journeys where you might fall asleep in the car and have an unplanned “accident”.

9. Some accommodation facilities have a washing machine and tumble dryer included and this can save your mum time and you the embarrassment of having wet the accommodation bedding if you are able to quickly throw your own Brolly Sheet into the machine and have it clean before it is needed the next night.

Be Practical – a reminder list of things you might need for a sleepover or travel.

• Covers for mattresses and duvets – a pillow protector might come in handy too.
• Disposable or washable bed pads – a Brolly Sheet to soak up any wetness.
• Disposable absorbent pants - put them in the bed or sleeping bag and no-one will see you wriggle into them.
• Waterproof sleeping bag liners – these can be rolled up inside the sleeping bag. You could explain that they give you extra warmth.
• Moist wipes and antibacterial spray - help you stay clean and prevent smells.
• Plenty of changes of clothes and pyjamas – just in case.
• An alarm clock - to wake you up early, and a torch to help you find your way in the dark.
• Daytime absorbent pants - if needed.
• Plenty of plastic bags - to put soiled items in.

Remember if you are going abroad you may need to take disposable items, as they may not be available in another country.