Growing up has many challenges.
School is hard.
Parents can be difficult.
And home life can be stressful.
Hopefully, there is always a way to make it all better by talking it out.
Redditor BroccoliLoud3538 to discuss her experience and get some feedback, so naturally, she came to the “Am I The A**hole” (AITA) subreddit.
She asked:
“WIBTA if I asked my mom to put a diaper on my sister?”
The Original Poster (OP) explained:
“My 14 F[emale] family just moved into a new house, we are still getting settled in, and we only have two beds right now, so me and my little sister 7 F are sharing one in my room.”
“But there’s a problem, my little sister wets the bed every night, and it’s really annoying having to wake up in her pee every morning, and my room is starting to smell really bad.”
“I know it’s not her fault, she’s just doing it while asleep and doesn’t mean to annoy me, but it’s still really annoying waking up to find out I got peed on every morning.”
“I wanna ask my mom to put her in diapers at night so she doesn’t pee on me anymore, but I’m worried that would be an AH thing for me to do because I’m the reason we had to move.”
“I’m gonna start high school in the fall, and our neighborhood high school, which I would’ve gone to, is a really bad school.”
“My parents say the teachers are bad, and kids get bullied, and there are drug dealers all over the school.”
“We had to move to get me into a much better school.”
“If I tried to ask my mom for a favor right now, I think it would be mean cuz she and my dad have already done so much for me.”
“And they’re both kinda stressed out right now cuz of the move and stuff, and I don’t wanna be a jerk and add to that.”
The OP was left to wonder:
“WIBTA?”
Redditors shared their thoughts on this matter and weighed in on some options to the question AITA:
- NTA – Not The A**hole
- YTA – You’re The A**hole
- NAH – No A**holes Here
- ESH – Everyone Sucks Here
Many Redditors declared that OP was NOT the A**hole.
“NTA. She should be wearing something at night to prevent soaking the bed and sheets each night, and it’s unfair to make you wake up covered in her urine each night.”
“I’d honestly ask if she can sleep with your parents instead if they’re not willing to deal with this.”
“I’m sorry.”
“And it’s not your fault they moved.”
“You don’t control the school districts.”
“Don’t take that on.”
“Edited to note that I’ve removed my note about 7 being too old for nightly bedwetting.”
“Many have pointed out this isn’t particularly concerning, especially with a move and changes, and this is still an age where it’s perfectly normal.”
“I’m happy to be corrected about this.” ~ FrontTour1583
“Agree with all of this, except it’s not actually that uncommon to still be wetting the bed at 7.”
“As long as they have told her doctor, it’s probably fine.”
“Some people just sleep more deeply than others.”
“Some kids don’t develop nighttime bladder until over, even up to puberty, without it being a sign or anything being wrong.” ~ Kylynara
“Sounds like she still needs pull-ups.”
“Also, a waterproof mattress protector.”
“And bedwetters shouldn’t be sharing a bed with others until it’s under control.”
“Are you guys limiting her fluid intake before bed?”
“That can also help.” ~ Stefie25
“NTA. There are nighttime pants /diapers for children her age who have yet to develop bladder control, and having to sleep in her urine is disgusting for both of you!”
“One word of caution, let your sister know it’s her bladder that has a problem, and you don’t blame her. I’m sure she is embarrassed enough.” ~ Maddie215
“NTA. It isn’t your fault you had to move.”
“Your parents made the decision that you need a safer school.”
“That is their job and their responsibility as your parents.”
“Your sister sounds like a doctor visit would be appropriate to make sure there isn’t something wrong, since she is still wetting the bed.”
“You would not be in the wrong for asking your parents to have her wear pull-ups while you are sharing a bed.”
“It is not unreasonable to not want to wake up in a puddle of someone else’s pee every morning.” ~ Donutsmell
“NTA. If a seven-year-old cannot get through the night without wetting their bed, it’s time for the parents to consult with the child’s doctor and determine what might be going on.”
“This is an issue for your parents and sister to deal with.” ~ Individual_Ad_9213
“NTA. You’re a teenager in high school, and you already deserve privacy, let alone to sleep without being soaked in urine.”
“I’m not sure if finances have anything to do with your situation, but an air mattress is 20 or 30 bucks at Walmart and would solve this problem in a way that might be easier to bring up to your mom.” ~ _muses
“There is a device you can purchase online.”
“It’s an alarm you wear on your arm that connects to a pad in your pajamas/underwear.”
“When the user pees the alarm goes off and wakes the user.”
“After a few weeks, she will learn to wake up to pee.
“My daughter used it and it works.” ~ Wrench-Turnbolt
“NTA. While I’m sure that your parents are stressed.”
“Having to clean it up and do laundry all the time is just as stressful.”
“I’m sure they are reluctant due to her age, but it’s a problem that they will need to address.” ~ Reasonable_Mark_8524
“NTA, your sister is in need of help, as most kids only rarely do by 5-6, so every night by 7 is way too much.”
“And second, that is unhealthy for you and her.”
“Sit them down and have a serious conversation, as even though it might be hard, advise a pull-up or similar for immediate relief and tell your parents that she needs to go to a doctor for a long-term resolution.”
“Good luck, kiddo.”
“14 can be hard, but you got this!” ~ Magick-Panda
“NTA: Have a calm conversation with your mom when it is just the two of you.”
“Explain what is happening, and that it is a problem for you and your sister – she must be embarrassed by this.”
“Hopefully, your mother is empathetic enough to do something about this.” ~ booksiwabttoread
“Oh, sweet girl!!!!”
“First, I want to say, don’t put the pressure and guilt onto yourself that ‘you’re the reason you had to move.'”
“Maybe that was the deciding factor, but moving to a better school district is for everyone’s sake, I promise.”
“Your sister will go to high school one day.”
“Your parents would suffer if they saw you being bullied or falling behind at your other school.”
“Do not carry that weight!!”
“Second, you would be well within your rights to tell your mom and dad what’s going on.”
“They are still the parents, not you.”
“If your sister were sleeping alone, they would still need to do something about it.”
“The fact that you’re sharing a bed and it’s directly affecting you daily, you should absolutely say something.”
“Don’t embarrass or tease little sister about it.”
“But they should be able to get her some nighttime pull-ups and a mattress protector, and that should solve a lot of issues.” ~ Substantial-Hat128
“NTA: My daughter had issues wetting the bed until she was in the 8th grade due to a bladder issue, and she was a really heavy sleeper.”
“Ask mom if your sister can wear pull-ups at night until she stops peeing in your bed because you don’t like waking up to urine, and your room is starting to smell like a urinal.”
“If mom says no, then ask mom if sister can sleep in her and dad’s bed and pee there at night instead.” ~ AlohaTutu60
“You don’t need the stress and lack of sleep; your sister doesn’t need the embarrassment.”
“It needs to be addressed, although diapers may not be the best solution.”
“A doctor visit may be helpful, and a waterproof pad would definitely be a good idea. NAH.” ~ EtherPhreak
“NTA. As others have said, your sister is a bit too old to be wetting the bed every night, and it would be a good idea to have a doctor check out her situation.”
“But, finances are tight right now for a lot of people, so spending money on diapers or doctors may not be an option for your parents right now.”
“That said, you still deserve a dry, pee-free place to sleep.”
“As an alternative, maybe ask your parents for an air mattress that you or your sister could sleep on separately.”
“A twin-size one at Walmart can be bought for around $20.”
“You can probably find them even cheaper elsewhere online.” ~ Mrs_Dafthart
“NTA. This is a practical solution to a real problem.”
“You are being considerate by recognizing that your parents are stressed.”
“Bedwetting at 7 isn’t uncommon for kids during stressful times.”
“An overnight pull-up would probably be good for everyone.” ~ xstargirlcutie
OP came back to chat…
“Okay, everyone, I wanna say thanks so much for helping me understand it’s not my fault we moved.”
“I know my parents did it cuz they want what’s best for me, and I was feeling guilty about that, but I shouldn’t.”
“I know it’s a good thing and my sister will get to go to a better high school to cuz if it. “
“Just wanna say thanks to everyone who said it wasn’t my fault, cuz you all really helped me.”
“I’m gonna ask my parents about getting some pull-ups for my sister.”
“Someone talked about things called goodnights, and I think they would be great for my sister to wear.”
Reddit feels for you, OP.
This is a difficult situation.
It sounds like you got some great help through Reddit.
Be strong, stand up for yourself.
Good Luck.