Unlike other health issues, incontinence (the inability to control urine or bowel motion) has the biggest effect on teenagers’ psyche. After all, most teens believe that this issue is limited to the frail elderly. Besides, if any of their friends or schoolmates found out, they are bound to be teased relentlessly until they graduate high school. Therefore, as a parent, you need to show your support during this tough time, especially since they will need a non-judgmental ear to share with.
However, as you probably know, teenagers are a little tricky to handle and talk to at times. So, here are five tips to help you become the first person your child turns to for advice.
#1) Stay Calm At All Times - With a busy schedule at work and a lot of cleaning up after your kid at home, it is very easy for you to get hassled and lash out. However, if you lose your temper even once, you are bound to close all the doors to communicating with your teen. So, if you’re prone to feeling that this issue is unsanitary and problematic, get someone (preferably your spouse or an older child) to help you either by talking to your kid or cleaning up their messes.
#2) Don’t Lead the Conversation towards Diapers Every Time Though adult diapers and other incontinence products will help both of you, bringing them up every time you and your child talk is never a good idea. In fact, if you’re discussing incontinence for the first time, your whole conversation should be to inform your child about the problem and coax them gently to go to the doctor with you for a medical evaluation. After your initial talks, keep your conversations on this topic light and tell your kid that you’re open and available to talk about this issue whenever they want.
#3) Pick the Right Timing for Your Discussions This is one of the awkward conversations which your teen may try to weasel out of. However, you can make this discussion beneficial for both of you while doing something your teen enjoys, such as fishing or taking long drives. In fact, go for activities which don’t require eye contact so that your child never feels that they’re under scrutiny. So, plan something fun, even at home, if you intend to bring the topic of urinary incontinence or bowel movement incontinence with your teenager.
#4) Always be Sympathetic Most parents, especially dads, can appear a little less caring while discussing this issue since they believe that sympathy is for the weak. However, you need to keep in mind that your teen is opening up to you because they trust you and want your help. If you aren’t the least bit sympathetic to their problem, they are bound to close up and spiral into depression. So, show sympathy throughout the conversation, avoid making any kind of jokes, and be careful of your choice of words around your teen.
#5) Avoid Letting Any of These Slip Out of Your Lips There are a few things which you should never say in front of your teen, such as the following:
· “I am so sick of cleaning up after you. Wear your diapers already!”
· “Why can’t you control yourself?!”
· “Why are you punishing me like this?”
· “No more liquids for you from now on!”
· “I’m so embarrassed by you. I can’t take you anywhere.”
· “You’re going to wear/use incontinence products your whole life.”
Anything along these lines will hurt your teenager’s already fragile feelings, so avoid them at all costs if you don’t want a rift between you and your child.
So, remember these tips at all costs so that you can easily communicate with your child and discuss teen incontinence with ease.
However, as you probably know, teenagers are a little tricky to handle and talk to at times. So, here are five tips to help you become the first person your child turns to for advice.
#1) Stay Calm At All Times - With a busy schedule at work and a lot of cleaning up after your kid at home, it is very easy for you to get hassled and lash out. However, if you lose your temper even once, you are bound to close all the doors to communicating with your teen. So, if you’re prone to feeling that this issue is unsanitary and problematic, get someone (preferably your spouse or an older child) to help you either by talking to your kid or cleaning up their messes.
#2) Don’t Lead the Conversation towards Diapers Every Time Though adult diapers and other incontinence products will help both of you, bringing them up every time you and your child talk is never a good idea. In fact, if you’re discussing incontinence for the first time, your whole conversation should be to inform your child about the problem and coax them gently to go to the doctor with you for a medical evaluation. After your initial talks, keep your conversations on this topic light and tell your kid that you’re open and available to talk about this issue whenever they want.
#3) Pick the Right Timing for Your Discussions This is one of the awkward conversations which your teen may try to weasel out of. However, you can make this discussion beneficial for both of you while doing something your teen enjoys, such as fishing or taking long drives. In fact, go for activities which don’t require eye contact so that your child never feels that they’re under scrutiny. So, plan something fun, even at home, if you intend to bring the topic of urinary incontinence or bowel movement incontinence with your teenager.
#4) Always be Sympathetic Most parents, especially dads, can appear a little less caring while discussing this issue since they believe that sympathy is for the weak. However, you need to keep in mind that your teen is opening up to you because they trust you and want your help. If you aren’t the least bit sympathetic to their problem, they are bound to close up and spiral into depression. So, show sympathy throughout the conversation, avoid making any kind of jokes, and be careful of your choice of words around your teen.
#5) Avoid Letting Any of These Slip Out of Your Lips There are a few things which you should never say in front of your teen, such as the following:
· “I am so sick of cleaning up after you. Wear your diapers already!”
· “Why can’t you control yourself?!”
· “Why are you punishing me like this?”
· “No more liquids for you from now on!”
· “I’m so embarrassed by you. I can’t take you anywhere.”
· “You’re going to wear/use incontinence products your whole life.”
Anything along these lines will hurt your teenager’s already fragile feelings, so avoid them at all costs if you don’t want a rift between you and your child.
So, remember these tips at all costs so that you can easily communicate with your child and discuss teen incontinence with ease.
