For those of us from families built on Debbie Downer DNA, there’s only one direction a mood can go during holiday get-togethers, and that’s down.

Raising children, toddlers in particular, can be an exhausting process. They can be loud, demanding, energetic and curious. This is not to say that the myriad rewards they offer don't more than counter the above-mentioned points, they do.

When I was growing up, the extent of my athletic experience was whatever they made me do twice a week when I put on my goofy blue gym uniform. I hated it! How times have changed! All three of my children have been involved in soccer, baseball, swimming and Taekwondo. And all three say that gym class is one of their favorite classes. I realize that sometimes it's not easy to get kids to commit to sports activities. But the long-term benefits for your child make it worth the battle.

There are few problems in childhood that are more mortifying than this one. But the silence that surrounds the condition, even among moms, can make it even worse. Here's what really keeps kids from staying dry – and what you can do to get them through.