this definitely comes from my side of the family

One of our children has been struggling with bedwetting.

I've heard that bedwetting beyond the age of seven can be linked to genetics. Charlie has no recollection of such events transpiring in his dry-bed free life, but I remember my brother bedwetting until he was nearly 12.  And I vividly recall soaking the bed when I was at least seven-years-old. On more than one occasion, I'd have this totally clear dream that I'd wake up, climb out of bed and go use the restroom. But once I'd start to "go" I'd realize that OOPS, I'm not actually in the restroom, I'm still in bed.

But that wouldn't stop me, because I'm mostly asleep and I've got a nice warm sensation surrounding me and it feels like I'm in a cozy bath. Ahhh. Except a few minutes later it wouldn't feel like a cozy bath. It would feel and smell like I fell in to a cold sewer. So, that's when I'd wake up crying and would try to peel my icky, stinky saturated pajamas off.

The difference between me and my child is that they don't wake up crying because they sleep right through it. When they do wake up the next day, they're always so discouraged and they'll apologize. "Mom, I'm really sorry. I wet my bed, again, last night."

We've implemented a lot of steps to try and prevent accidents. We try to limit fluids after 6PM. We wake them up at night, before we go to bed, and put them on the potty. We give tons of encouragement for nights that are accident free, and we give tons of encouragement for nights when accidents occur.

"It's not your fault. Your body is still growing and changing. You will outgrow this. Please, trust me."

Unfortunately, none of those things have really helped and the discouragement lingers. Although our child had protested the wearing of nighttime Pull-Ups (those are BABY diapers!), and we stopped using them for a stint, after changing bed sheets at least three times in a week, for four weeks straight, we offered them no choice in the matter.

They're certain they are the ONLY CHILD IN SCHOOL who has this issue. Which I've tried to reassure them, they're most definitely not. Then, I'll point to the child on the Pull-Up box who looks to be at least two or three years older than them.  But they're still not convinced.

"How do you know they're not an ACTOR?"  

They very well could be. But would it make you feel any better to know that your mom - a few of her sisters - and your grandmother cannot be trusted with a really funny story and no bathroom in sight?

So, I'm currently looking at other solutions (not including medication) that might help get them through this phase. I'd recently heard about bed alarms that can be used to help train a child to wake up as soon as "wetness" is detected on a sensor that is clipped to their undergarments.  But there are so many varieties on the market, I'm at a loss as to whether the ones that are priced twice as much - are really worth the additional expense?  Does anyone have any experience on this, they'd be willing to share?

Me and my little puddle prone pal would be most appreciative.