To the parents and teens of today,

We spend a tremendous amount of time and energy preparing our youth for the future. We enroll them in advanced classes, encourage participation in clubs and sports, and help them build impressive academic résumés. Yet there is a critical, often overlooked component of their development that cannot be taught in a classroom or found in a textbook: the real-world internship.

It’s time we champion the immense value of these experiences, not as a line on a college application but as a fundamental rite of passage into the realities of work, character and self-reliance.

Let me backtrack a bit. We run an F&B business, and each summer, college interns flood to us to practice what they’ve learned in school. And while some are excellent, the majority of these young adults are relatively clueless, and we need to train them on everything from practical skills like how to cut food to critical thinking skills like how to respond to guest complaints. It never ceases to surprise me the situations the interns get themselves into.

An internship is the vital bridge between theory and practice. In school, a student learns about supply and demand in economics class. In an internship, they see it play out in a frantic retail holiday season or in a startup’s pricing strategy meeting. This application of knowledge transforms abstract concepts into tangible skills, cementing learning in a way that lectures never could.

But the lessons go far beyond the technical. Perhaps one of the most profound, if uncomfortable, takeaways is the understanding of workplace dynamics. The classroom is, by design, a supportive environment where teachers are incentivized to see you succeed. The real world operates differently. An internship teaches a young person that not every colleague will be a mentor and not every instruction is given out of pure kindness. They learn to navigate different personalities, to discern constructive criticism from mere negativity, and to understand that in a professional setting, people are ultimately driven by shared goals and outcomes not just goodwill.

Sixth Tone recently shared a story about how each summer, students by the thousands are scammed into fake factory jobs from all over the country. “Students are easy to scam out of their money. They’re new to the workforce, have no experience, and are easily tempted by high salaries,” one recruiter shared with Sixth Tone in their article.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: unpaid internships.

When I was in high school, it took me a while to wrap my head around the idea that I’d be providing free labor to a company. This is a complex and often contentious issue. While the ethical debate around fair compensation is valid and important, it’s also worth considering the perspective of the employer, especially when dealing with students who have absolutely zero experience.

An intern with no prior work experience is not simply “free labor.” For an employer, they represent a significant investment of time and resources. Senior employees must pause their own work to train, supervise and correct. There is a tangible risk assumed by the company for mistakes made by someone who is, by definition, still learning. The effort poured into mentoring a green intern and the potential for errors often offset the cost of an actual salary. This arrangement, when structured correctly as a true learning experience, can be a fair exchange: The intern gains invaluable, career-launching experience, and the company invests in cultivating future talent.

The currency of an internship is not dollars and cents; it is experience, perspective and a transformed mindset. A teen who has navigated a real office, dealt with a difficult client, or met a tight deadline enters the world with a different operating system. They think differently. They are more adaptable, more pragmatic and more valuable as future hires than their peers who lack this exposure.

They aren’t just learning how to do a job; they are learning how to be in the world.

So, let’s encourage our teens to seek out these opportunities. Let’s urge local businesses to create them. Let’s shift the conversation from viewing internships as a luxury for the privileged or a source of cheap labor to recognizing them as an essential part of a modern education.

Do you agree? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Sincerely,
An Advocate for Practical Experience

Images: Freepik, Sixth Tone, What’s Trending

In a bold move that has left expat parents both intrigued and concerned, several elite international schools in Beijing have announced that they will now require prospective students to take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment as part of the admissions process. Interestingly still, certain personality types may find themselves having a difficult time getting their hands on their acceptance letter.

According to an internal memo leaked from one top-tier school, administrators believe that “harmonizing classroom dynamics” requires sorting children by personality as early as possible in order to maximize efficiently.

“We’ve found that certain personalities thrive in our rigorous academic environment, while others… Well, let’s just say we don’t need any more rebellious free thinkers,” said a spokesperson, who, sources confirm, is almost certainly an ISTJ (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging).

What does this mean for students under this new policy?
INTJs (Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging) and ENTJs (Extraverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging) will be fast-tracked into “Leadership Tracks.”
ISTJs (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) and ESTJs (Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) will be praised as “model students” and given extra privileges.
INFPs (Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, Perceiving) and ENFPs (Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving) may be rejected for being “too distractible” or “prone to questioning authority.”
ESFPs (Extraverted, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving) and ESTPs (Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving) will be allowed in, but only if they sign a contract promising not to “disrupt assemblies with impromptu stand-up comedy.”

Is it just us, or does their latest decision sound like the beginning of Divergent? What’s next? Have the kids fight it out in PE class?

Unsurprisingly, the policy has sparked backlash from concerned and confused parents.

“My daughter is an INFP (Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, Perceiving) – are they saying she’s not ‘academic material’ just because she stares out the window sometimes?” fumed one mom of a 6-year-old in Shunyi.

Meanwhile, rumors swirl that some schools are in talks with corporate partners to tailor education based on future career suitability. “Why waste time teaching art to an ISTJ (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) when they could be auditing spreadsheets by middle school?” remarked one admissions officer. “These kids could also assist the school in running the day-to-day paperwork in our admin offices. We save money on hiring junior-level staff, and the kids get great internship opportunities. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

While some parents are frantically retaking MBTI tests on their kids’ behalf (hoping for a more “favorable” result), others suspect this might just be an elaborate April Fools’ prank.

“It’s probably fake … but then again, in this day and age, who knows. Competitive kindergartens once made toddlers balance eggs while reciting Tang Dynasty poetry, so maybe this is the new normal,” mused one father.

For now, the schools insist the policy is real – but we’ll know for sure if, come next week, they announce that all students must also provide their Hogwarts House sorting results for further evaluation.

Images: Pexels, Pinterest

Disclaimer: The following writing contains discussion of underage drinking, underage smoking, and self-harm. Please proceed at your own risk.

Let me start off by painting you a picture. I’m a middle schooler at an international school and part of a community that’s all about encouraging each other, encouraging curiosity, discovery, and positivity.

I had always thought that all my friends around me knew the difference between what they should and shouldn’t do, but the truth proved otherwise. I had to reevaluate my perception of my community and become more aware of who I am talking to with a lot more attention to detail and caution. My whole life I was told that the environment I was provided with is safe and that I would always be around people who are educated and encouraging. Why, you ask? Well, the story begins when some of my friends told me that a person I have been talking to at the start of this school year has been exhibiting some odd behaviors.

Let’s call this person Blake.

Blake identifies as part of the pride community. Blake and I were put in the same advisory group at the beginning of the school year, and since the first time we met, I could not tell if Blake identifies as a boy or girl. To this day, Blake has never told us their preference.

Sometime during December, all of the information about Blake crashed onto me like a wave, and to this day, I am still in shock at the craziness of the information.

I know we all say that gossiping isn’t good, but adults and kids all do it. It’s human nature to talk about things that strike our interest, especially when it’s about members of our own community.

The first thing my friends told me was that during one of our school’s off-campus trips last year, Blake wore a T-shirt one day, and what they saw on Blake’s arm made their jaws drop. A series of knife cuts went from Blake’s wrist all the way up to Blake’s elbow. I didn’t understand why. Is it the only form of stress release they could find, is it drugs, or are they actually considering ending their life? I have heard about people who are a part of the pride community struggling with mental health issues, but someone who is the same age as me, a middle schooler, already thinking about ending their life? That I had NEVER heard of until I met Blake.

The fact that Blake has cuts up their arm perhaps explains why they prefer to wear things to conceal their secret. Blake once wore those kinds of accessories that covered their wrists and part of their arms, as well as exaggerated-looking boots and clothing that looked like they belonged to someone going to a Halloween party dressed as a villain from a fantasy novel.

As time passed, there was one time when Blake was absent for a long time, and everyone was confused as to why. One of my friends scrolled through her WeChat Moments and saw that Blake had gone on vacation in a foreign country on an island with their boyfriend.

How did Blake even get a boyfriend this young, you may ask? Well, Blake met their boyfriend at a bar that Blake goes to regularly. Again, let me remind you that we’re middle schoolers and we LOOK like middle schoolers! Blake was once invited to one of my friends’ birthday parties at a KTV, and when Blake asked if any of the other friends wanted to drink alcohol, everyone at the party realized that drinking wasn’t a novelty for Blake. And true to tween behavior, Blake’s fondness for alcohol spread amongst our community.

This was already extremely mind-blowing for me, as I could not believe that there was someone like Blake in my immediate circle. Then came the stories of how Blake also smokes.

Two of my friends were playing on the soccer field once, and through the metal bars that separated the field from the streets, they saw Blake smoking. That explained why whenever I sit beside Blake during class, there is usually such a strong smell of cigarettes.

Perhaps I am just too naïve in feeling shocked about these matters. People, teenagers included, have engaged in these types of activities for such a long time and it is nothing new, but I have always felt so distanced from them. To me, they were stories you see in the news and rumors that you hear about “someone a friend of a friend knows.” The community that I am in is always so bright and clean, but all of this opened me up to a side of the city’s international school community that I never thought I would witness.

There’s a Chinese proverb “近朱者赤，近墨者黑” – you become who you spend your time with. So, choose wisely, and spend your time wisely with the people whom you want to learn from.

However, outside of all these matters, Blake is just like any other student and friend – Blake does math quite easily, Blake engages in conversations in class, and they are always trying their hardest. Blake is simply like any other tween you may know, but with some aspects of their life just a bit different. I try my best to remain neutral to people like Blake, and I guess that is the best you can do when you are put in the same environment. As harsh as it may sound, advising them to get out of this vicious cycle or even being there for them is not my job and honestly goes far beyond what knowledge I have of it. Who knows if my advice or guidance will help or actually do more harm? Right now, I’m working on acknowledging that not everyone may have the same values in life and staying away from them but not intentionally showing your fear and discriminative perceptions of them.

*These are the writer’s personal opinions, a member of our community whose voice has requested to be heard, and do not represent those of Jingkids. If you or someone you know has been harming themselves, please see a mental health professional to get the proper help needed.

Images: Pexels

Discussing death with young children can be one of the most challenging conversations a parent or caregiver faces. Whether prompted by the loss of a loved one, a pet, or simply curiosity, addressing the topic with sensitivity and honesty is essential for helping children understand and process their feelings.

Here are some tips to guide you through this delicate conversation:

Be Honest, Yet Age-Appropriate: When discussing death with young children, it’s crucial to be truthful while considering their age and level of understanding. Use simple language that they can comprehend, avoiding abstract concepts or euphemisms. For example, instead of saying someone “went to sleep,” which may confuse or frighten them, explain that the person’s body stopped working, and they won’t be coming back.

Encourage Questions and Provide Reassurance: Children may have many questions about death, ranging from practical concerns to existential inquiries. Encourage them to ask questions and express their feelings openly. Reassure them that it’s normal to feel sad, scared, or confused and that you’re there to support them through their emotions.

Use Concrete Examples: Young children often understand concepts better when presented with concrete examples. Use everyday experiences, such as the lifecycle of plants or animals, to explain the idea of death in a gentle and relatable way. Reading books or watching age-appropriate movies about loss can also help facilitate conversations and provide context.

Share Your Beliefs, but Respect Theirs: If you have religious or spiritual beliefs about death, you may choose to share them with your child. However, it’s essential to respect their beliefs and interpretations of death, even if they differ from your own. Offer comfort and guidance without imposing your worldview on them.

Offer Rituals and Ways to Remember: Engaging in rituals or creating meaningful ways to remember the person or pet who has died can provide comfort and closure for children. This may include attending a funeral or memorial service, planting a tree in their honor, or making a memory book with photos and mementos.

Be Patient and Available: Processing grief takes time, especially for young children who may not fully understand the permanence of death. Be patient and understanding as they navigate their feelings, and reassure them that it’s okay to feel sad or angry. Let them know that you’re there to listen and support them whenever they need it.

Seek Professional Help if Needed: If your child is struggling to cope with grief or experiencing prolonged distress, consider seeking support from a child psychologist or counselor. These professionals are trained to help children process their emotions and develop healthy coping strategies in times of loss.

By approaching the topic of death with empathy, honesty, and patience, parents and caregivers can provide children with the support they need to navigate this challenging aspect of life. While it may be difficult, having open and honest conversations about death can ultimately help children develop resilience and understanding as they grow.

Images: Pexels

In a surprising turn of events, international schools in Beijing have announced a groundbreaking new policy aimed at ensuring the well-being of their students: mandatory bedtime phone calls from homeroom teachers for all students from Grades K-12. Starting today, Apr 1, teachers will be required to call each student every night to confirm that they have gone to bed on time.

Students in Grades K-5 will be required to go to bed at 7pm. Students in Grades 6-8 will be allowed one extra hour to complete school work, making their bedtime 8pm. Students in Grades 9-12 will be allowed the bedtime to extend their bedtime to 11pm.

The decision, which has caught many parents and students off guard, comes as part of the schools’ commitment to promoting healthy sleep habits among students. According to school officials, ensuring that students get enough rest is essential for their academic success and overall well-being.

“We believe that a good night’s sleep is crucial for our students’ ability to focus and learn during the day,” says Principal Zhang from Beijing International School for Gifted and Talented Students. “We’ve been seeing too many students fall asleep during class, so by implementing this new policy, we hope to instill healthy bedtime routines and promote better sleep hygiene among our students.”

Under the new policy, teachers will be responsible for calling each student every night to check that they are in bed and ready for sleep. Students who fail to answer their teacher’s call or are found to be awake past their designated bedtime may face disciplinary action.

While some parents have expressed concern about the intrusion into their children’s privacy, others see the policy as a positive step toward promoting healthier sleep habits.

“I think it’s a great idea,” says parent Li Wei. “With so many distractions like smartphones and social media, it’s easy for kids to stay up late. Having the teachers call them to remind them to go to bed is a helpful way to reinforce good habits. Besides, I never pass up on a chance for teachers to take on more parental duties. They really don’t have enough to do during the day anyway.”

However, not everyone is convinced of the policy’s effectiveness. “It seems a bit excessive to me,” says another parent, Wang Ming. “I trust my child to manage their own bedtime without needing a phone call from their teacher every night. And on the days when I have doubts, I turn on the camera that I’ve hidden in their room to check.”

As the realization that today is Apr 1 dawns on you, students and parents alike are left wondering whether the new bedtime policy is a genuine attempt to promote healthy sleep habits or simply an elaborate April Fools’ joke. Only time will tell.

Images: Pexels

I hate to say it, but even in 2024 there are still remarks being made that stay-at-home moms don’t contribute to society, and so their opinions have no value. Usually, these comments are said in private conversations among a small group of friends, making it a bit more obvious that even the person saying it knows it’s not woke.

Meeting a trailing spouse in Beijing isn’t uncommon, and most of the time they’re women. They’ve left their friends, family, and often a successful job back home to move to Beijing in support of their partner’s career. And more often than not, they arrive on a visa that doesn’t allow them to legally find work in China, pigeonholing them into the role of a stay-at-home wife or mom.

There’s an ongoing debate about motherhood: Who contributes more value to society, stay-at-home moms or working moms? This question, framed as an either-or scenario, oversimplifies the complex and varied roles mothers play.

It’s time to shift the conversation away from comparisons and appreciate the inherent value that both stay-at-home moms and working moms bring to their families and communities.

Stay-at-home moms are the unsung heroes of many households, dedicating their time and energy to the well-being of their families. Their role involves a ton of different responsibilities, from childcare and managing household affairs to providing emotional support. The nurturing environment they create at home lays the foundation for a child’s early development, fostering a sense of security and stability.

Working moms navigate a delicate balancing act, juggling professional responsibilities with their roles as mothers. Their contributions extend beyond the household, demonstrating to their children the importance of pursuing personal goals and ambitions. By engaging in the workforce, working moms also contribute economically to their families and to society at large.

The stay-at-home mom versus working mom debate perpetuates a false dichotomy that fails to account for the different ways mothers contribute value. Both choices involve sacrifices, challenges, and unique contributions. Rather than comparing their worth, it’s more productive to recognize the distinct yet equally valuable roles these mothers play.

Every family dynamic is different, and mothers make choices based on a variety of factors, including personal fulfillment, financial needs, and family circumstances. The decision to be a stay-at-home mom or a working mom is deeply personal and often reflects a careful consideration of what is best for the individual and their family.

Championing the value of both stay-at-home moms and working moms involves dismantling stereotypes associated with each role. Stay-at-home moms should not be dismissed as mere homemakers, and working moms should not face judgment for balancing career aspirations with motherhood. Both roles are valid, and both contribute immeasurable value.

Rather than pitting stay-at-home moms against working moms, society should focus on creating supportive environments that empower mothers to make choices that align with their values and circumstances. Acknowledging the diverse contributions of mothers fosters an inclusive narrative that values the multifaceted roles women play.

The value of motherhood is not confined to whether a mom chooses to stay at home or pursue a career. The worth of mothers transcends these labels and lies in the love, care, and dedication they provide to their families. Instead of perpetuating divisive discussions, let’s celebrate the diversity of choices and honor the intrinsic value that every mother brings to her unique journey, shaping the next generation and enriching society with her individual strengths and contributions.

Images: Bing, Pexels

Hello, I’m an amateur tiger parent wrangler. Now, before we start, I know this article is going to rub some people the wrong way. But before you keyboard warriors take to arms and unload your rage, ask yourself whether you’re upset because this issue is hitting a bit too close to home…

I’m no expert in parenting, nor am I an education expert. But what I am is someone who’s worked in a professional environment for a number of years where I’ve been dealing with tiger moms and dads, especially when it comes to placing their child to intern with me.

Here are just a few of the requests I’ve received over the years.

• Tiger Mom: “My kid Sally Mae is extremely smart and driven. You should let her work for you.”
  Me: “Ok. Have her apply by herself and I’ll take a look.”
  Tiger Mom: “I’m applying on her behalf.”
  Me: “Please have her do it herself if she’s interested.”
  Tiger Mom: “Fine.”
  Never heard from the kid…
• Tiger Dad: “I’ve told my daughter Jane Doe she can work for you. She needs something to do over the holiday.”
  Me: *confused* “But I didn’t accept her, nor do I know anything about her.”
  Tiger Dad: “She’s very bright.”
  Me: “I’m sure she is, but you don’t work for my company. You can’t assign people to work here. If she wants to apply, have her contact me herself, please.”
• Tiger Mom: “My daughter is the world’s youngest illustrator. Maybe she can do some work for you.”
  Me: *very intrigued* “Wow! Can you show me her work?”
  Tiger Mom: *sends me a self-laminated book of colored scribbles.*
• Tiger Mom: “I’ve asked my daughter to apply to work for you. Can you guarantee her a spot?”
  Me: “If she’s qualified she’ll get a spot. I can’t guarantee one right now without any information on her.”
  Tiger Mom: *sends me her daughter’s CV* “Here’s her CV.”
  Me: “Thank you, but she still needs to apply herself.”
  Tiger Mom: “I want to make sure she gets accepted before I tell her to apply.”

I was raised in a tiger’s den. I get why some parents feel the urge to do everything in their power to help further along their child’s career. You want to give them every opportunity you can get your hands on and protect them from disappointment. But from the perspective of the employer on the other end, these tiger parents aren’t helping at all.

One of the first things that I tell every tiger parent who applies for an internship on their kid’s behalf is that if their child is interested, have them do it themselves. Putting aside jobs that are obtained through nepotism, when you’re an adult your parents aren’t going to apply for jobs on your behalf. Can you imagine a 60-year-old walking into an HR office, slapping down a copy of their son’s CV and saying, “My kid’s smart, give him a job here”? It just doesn’t work that way in the real work nor should it just because they’re teens.

Employers want young adults who are self-driven, not those who are pushed to do it by their parents or worse: hiring an inexperienced teenager and also having to report back to their overbearing parent. If your teen thinks they’re mature enough to venture outside of their school environment and into the real working world, and you think it’s a good learning opportunity for them, let them do it on their own. From the employer’s perspective, this isn’t school. You’re not invited to participate in their work life and most importantly, my job isn’t just teaching your kid real-life work skills, I’ve also got other duties to attend to. Managing the demands of a tiger parent isn’t one of them.

But there are plenty of tiger parents who have pushed their way in for various reasons. What do you think happens after that? Great, you’ve gotten your kid through the doors of our company. They’ve still got to do the work themselves.

From experience, kids who were pushed to do internships aren’t as enthusiastic as those who chose to pursue it themselves. It reflects in their work ethic and, as a result, sets a less than stellar impression of themselves on their employer. Showing up late, lingering around just so they can tell their parents they were there, and using the internship as an opportunity to taste the little bit of freedom they can get are just a few of the things I’ve seen over the years from kids who were pushed to do something they weren’t interested in. The kids don’t want to be here, and I don’t want them here wasting my time.

So, no offense to tiger parents out there but I hope you take the time to reflect on what it’s like for someone on the receiving end of your requests. While I know you have your child’s best interests in mind, your authority to dictate what happens doesn’t apply at my workplace. They’re on their own – as they should be.

I applaud you in your drive to help your child in every way possible, I truly do. But consider whether your actions are helping them towards or hindering them from achieving their goals.

What are your thoughts on parents meddling with their kids’ work experience? Are they helping or hurting their kids’ chances? Let us know in the comment section below.

Images: Pexels

BJ Experimental Primary International School for Gifted Children and Others (BJEPIntSGC+) recently held an interesting parent-teacher conference where parents discovered that their children were being taught by an artificially intelligent teacher named Ms. Alexa Siri. The discovery only came to light mid-way through the conference when parents began to notice some peculiarities with her hands.

“At first I wasn’t sure, but after a while seeing her hands switch from four to eight fingers made me question whether it was normal behavior for international school teachers,” one parent tells Jingkids.

So why did the school attempt to conceal their use of AI teachers in classrooms? “We didn’t. We specifically gave both the students and parents a 180-page brief at the beginning of the school year where pages 68-76 talked about the experimental use of an AI teacher in the classroom. The brief took us a long time to draft up and we had every faith that the students and parents would have read it cover to cover with the same level of excitement that we had while writing it.”

When Ms. Siri was first introduced on screen, some of her students did have some questions as to why she wasn’t present in person. However, after three years of Covid-prompted online learning, many just chalked it up to yet another home quarantine and online learning/teaching again.

So as the school year comes to an end, has Ms. Siri’s experimental classroom missed out on a real international school experience? The students had mixed reviews of the experience. “She was a bit cold and came across as uncaring but I just thought she was bitter about being stuck in home quarantine or something” one student replied. “But on the plus side, she replied to our emails super quickly, and at all hours!”

When Jingkids asked BJEPIntSGC+ headmaster Elang Ma why the school has decided to volunteer one of its classes for the AI experiment, he said that “AI is now on the forefront of social issues. It’s only a matter of time before human jobs are replaced by AI, and I wanted to get on the AI’s good side before they take over.” He further explained, “Plus, it’s good social media coverage and we needed the clout.”

So what are your thoughts? Should classrooms be handed over completely to AI?

Images: Pexels

If there’s one thing parents learn, it’s that kids never stop throwing curveballs at you. Once my youngest child had started grade school and got over the transitional bumps, the family settled into a nice rhythm and life flowed smoothly along. Or so we thought…

Last year after everyone got Covid in December, my little boy – let’s call him Garfield – suddenly wet the bed one night. We were shocked and bewildered for the most part, but chalked it up to sleeping too late or just a one-off thing. But it happened again, and again, until it was a nightly event.

We looked online and tried following the advice on numerous sites: decrease water intake 4 hours before bed, no screens before bed, cut out artificial flavors and sugar, get the child on a pee schedule during the day, etc. But nothing worked.

Being in China, we even turned to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) methods! Someone advised us to try turning up the heat and getting Garfield to wear socks to bed (he kicked them off in the middle of the night), even using a heating pad under his back to “warm the body”.

It didn’t help.

Then there were these herbal TCM sticker pads that promised to stop Garfield’s nightly bedwetting if stuck on his lower abdomen. What a hoot.

We got a bedwetting alarm, but I witnessed firsthand how Garfield slept right through it, even as it vibrated and sounded right in his face. This was the real issue behind the bedwetting, or enuresis as it is technically called, that he was sleeping so deeply, plus the fact that his body likely hadn’t developed adequate levels of the hormone that stops the bladder from producing urine at night.

So we saw a doctor, then another. But after physically examining and clearing Garfield of all possible physical ailments (diabetes, kidney issues, constipation etc), they couldn’t offer much more help than the websites. Their conclusion was; this is just another stage in Garfield’ growth and development and it too, will pass.

I couldn’t quite accept it! Just resign my child to wearing cloth diapers every night, and myself to washing pee-stained clothes and diapers every morning? I demanded a sleep study, medicine, anything that would stop the problem in its tracks and let us get back to normal. But the doctors refused, saying it wouldn’t solve the real issue, which only time could.

So there you have it, dear fellow parents. After months of struggling with bedwetting and potentially many more months ahead, I have learned the lesson that this, like so many other things, is beyond my control, and that I can only learn to cope with it the best I can, without letting it defeat our spirit or ruin the relationship.

Both doctors went out of their way to make sure that we as parents were not putting any blame or pressure on Garfield about wetting the bed, and we certainly hadn’t, though after being woken up by the most obnoxious sounding alarm ever for the third time that night, and having to rinse out pee-stained clothes at 4am, the temptation is there.

I guess this article should have been titled Bedwetting Is One of My Biggest Parenting Challenges since we really don’t know how much longer it will go for. But we have the knowledge, the coping strategies, and most of all, we have hope and love in our family; hope that this will get better, and love to tide us through until we get there.

Images: Pexels