I get so mad at my kid for wetting the bed. Every morning I have to strip and wash his bedding and pyjamas. I told him last week that I would spank him if it happened again. Do you think that will help?

Most certainly not! Unless your child’s bed-wetting is an act of defiance occurring after he is awake, which I doubt, his enuresis is an involuntary act for which he is not responsible. Punishment under these circumstances is dangerous and unfair. Your son is humiliated by waking up wet anyway, and the older he gets, the more foolish he will feel about it.

The bed-wetter needs reassurance and patience from parents, and they should be there for him or her. They would be wise to try to conceal the embarrassing problem from those who would laugh at him. Even good-natured humour within the family, associated with bed-wetting is often very painful.

This article was written by Focus on the Family Malaysia (www.family.org.my) and the Questions and Answers are extracted from “Complete Family and Marriage Home Reference Guide” by Dr James Dobson with permission.