My husband had a great idea to clear out the linen closet and found an old vinyl table-cloth and a raggy old sheet and jokingly said “is this an heirloom?”
My reply was matter of fact and sincere. “No, it is for when the kids wet the bed!” and I kept working. He reminded me that our kids are WELL past the bed wetting stage and I reminded him of:
- our move
- illness . . . to many to list
- too many late nights in a row
- too many hours in the pool
- Kindergarten (first week)
- 1st grade (first week)
- a new therapist (new demands and another personality to deal with)
- a developmental milestone–like learning how to ride a bike or swing by pumping your legs
My kids have all had their share of stress induced bedwetting. So I found an awesome solution.
An old vinyl tablecloth and an old sheet. If you cover the mattress pad with the table-cloth–it prevents the mattress pad and mattress from getting soaked. (IN THE EVENT OF FLU–THIS IS AN GREAT WAY TO JUST CLEAN ONE LAYER OF PUKE OFF OF THINGS :-)
- clean up is easier (1 sheet and wiping off the tablecloth)
- it is portable (like for the cabin or a hotel room)
- it is discreet!
So those of you who are following my not-quite-hoarding issues–I took this final picture AND threw out the tablecloth and cut the sheet up and used it for cleaning the deck!
Do you have a great solution to a common kid problem? I’d love to hear it!
Be Blessed.
As a young mother i was told: 6 pairs of training pants equals potty trained! lmc
Yeah, I was never a young mother! Each kid learned at a different time! I used cloth diapers and I think that helped them feel the wetness. Then again . . . some kids don’t seem to mind the wetness.
Laura–you are a blessing to me!
My girls are nearly 6 years apart in age. When the oldest, Ashley, was about 9 she suddenly started waking up to a urine soaked bed. The first time it happened, we brushed it off as a fluke. After multiple “accidents” I became concerned..until we discovered the CAUSE one night. Apparently little sister Jill, who shared the same room but with her own twin bed, would wake up at night and crawl into bed with Ash. Nothing new. My kids were always bed hopping among each other. But when Jill would then have an accident, she would get up, change her clothes, and crawl back into her own dry bed. Leaving Ash to wake up cold, wet and confused. I only discovered what was going on when at bedtime one evening I pulled her bed away from the wall to rescue a fallen baby doll, only to discover her “stash” of urine soaked panties and pj’s!! (Why I hadn’t smelled them or missed them in the laundry I do not know) Gotta admit, pretty cleaver for a 3 year old!
I’m sure Ashley appreciates you clearing her name! I will also admit to finding old gross pull-ups under one of my kids beds! I seriously think pee doesn’t smell once it dries out . . . or maybe after so many years of changing diapers my nose just doens’t even register bodily fluid smells.
Andrea–you always make me smile. Be Blessed and a blessing to your kids and that too cute grand! I love her stars swim suit!
That is hilarious!! But very upsetting for Ashley, I’m sure.
Very clever! When you said vinyl tablecloth, I was picturing the thick vinyl flannel-backed kind, which are very waterproof but seem awkward to fold around a mattress. In your picture, though, it looks like one of those thin “disposable” plastic tablecloths, which usually are not vinyl–I think they’re polyethylene–so have fewer harmful fumes. That kind would be less noticeable on a bed and just as waterproof, if it isn’t torn. I have gotten many of those thin plastic tablecloths for free when they’re going to be thrown away after an office baby shower or some such event. They can last quite a while if carefully wiped clean and let dry completely before you put them away.
What I’ve used for bedwetting, flu, etc. is a thick polyester fleece blanket. It’s soft and cozy to sleep on (but not as hot in the summer as you’d think) and liquid pools on top of it for up to a few hours, so as long as the wetness is noticed quickly it can be just sopped up with a towel.
Thanks for pointing out the distinction–I can spell vinyl but not the poly word so . . . I had to work within my limitations! This one last through 3 out of 4 kids! Great suggestions!
If I wanted to share your post on vinegar as a toner . . . how would I do that? I didn’t see a share button anywhere but I would love to pass that info along. I also love your basket of facial wipes! Great post!
Be Blessed.
When bedwetting happened after potty training we took our son to the chiropractor. After an adjustment or two, he never wet the bed again!