It was possible she received too much affirmation as a child.
What else could explain the way the little bedwetter trotted off so confidently to sleepovers? Was it because deep down she knew she'd never stay at that sleepover all night?
Whatever the reason, her family and the sleepover friend's family went through the ruse every time.
She - let's call her Lamb Panderson, she's no one you know - and Laura (the most common victim) would play for hours, eat dinner with the family, and watch the sun set as if all was well. When it got late enough for bed, Lamb would wait as her friend's mother put a rubber sheet under the fitted sheet on the double bed. Yes, it was a little awkward because obviously the sheet hadn't been there the night before for Laura, but it wasn't excruciating or anything. Laura's mom was a sweet woman who made it seem casual as if she moved around the house nightly waterproofing various furniture.
For such a social kid, Lamb was definitely a homebody. Kids came to her house more often than not. Her parents welcomed and fed everyone, and tried to keep them happy. That was the way she liked it. The adventurous friends seemed fine with it, but sooner or later the sleepover invitation would come, and her mom would give her The Talk. The Talk was brief and the message was simple: "You have to take turns sometimes. They want sleepovers at their houses too, Honey," and "I'll call ahead about the rubber sheet." And that was how she'd end up at Laura's.
Sighing, the little bedwetter would pack her little bag with mostly good intentions, a healthy side of candy, and head to stay at the friend's house the entire night this time.
However, as her dad drove her to Laura's, he'd give her The Other Talk. This message was simple and less brief: "If you want to come home at any time, just call. ANY TIME. I'm only five minutes away and can come get you. I mean, if at ANY TIME YOU HAPPEN TO THINK 'Hey, I'd rather sleep in my own bed,' you just tell Laura's mom - she won't mind waking up at ANY HOUR of the night - and I will zoom over here and rescue you from this place called Not Home." Did I mention the dad also preferred everyone at home together? The little apple fell not far from the 6'4" tree.
Fortunately, Laura's mom never woke up in the middle of the night, not because Lamb stayed, but because the ruse usually ended by 10pm as soon as they were in bed and the lights were out. Mysteriously, the dark usually triggered a stomachache, easily blamed on aforementioned candy. That's why the packing of the bag was crucial. In truth, little Lamb could hold her candy. She had the constitution of a junk yard dog. Her father knew this, but there was no reason for other families to know. And by 10:15pm, Lamb was home and happy while Laura tried to sleep on that crinkly rubber sheet.
The next morning, Lamb would appear for breakfast, her mom would sigh and look at the dad and roll her eyes. He'd say, "What? She wanted to come home." They'd all eat pancakes and pretend next time might the charm.