What to do about Imaginary friends?

Question

I am 8 months pregnant and just watched a movie about a child with an imaginary friend. (Drop Dead Fred :)) Now I am curious what is the best to do should my daughter find herself with one. Pretend along with her or set the facts straight?

Answer 1

I assume you are talking about your unborn baby isn't it funny what we think about when we are pregnant lol Well just let her be who shes going to be by the way your in the nesting stage that's when you think of the future be prepared to go into labor especially when you start cleaning your home top to bottom because i feel you are nearly there if this is what you are thinking about

Answer 2

Imaginary friends aren't harmful. They let children explore their imagination. Most children honestly realize that they are not real but are a security for themselves to express their thoughts and feelings. My 5 year old has had an imaginary friend since he was 3. He doesn't actually play with "him" but he talks about what "he" likes to do. He tells me details about "his" house and mom and dad. We don't really play along we just listen like he's talking about a real friend. Months will go by and he doesn't say a word then one day out of the blue "his" name is mentioned. My son makes friends very easily and is pretty outgoing. He's involved in sports and has a younger brother so boredom isn't really an issue. I think it's best just to listen, not really play along unless it's something like setting a spot at the table or setting a place at a board game, then I would play along to a degree. Explaining that their friend isn't real would probably just cause frustration.

Answer 3

Play along! You'll be surprised at what you learn about how your child thinks and feels by listening to what they say to (and about) their "friend". My children knew that having imaginary friends was just prentending. The imaginary friends, should they be blamed for trouble, turn into perfect angels as soon as your child finds out they get the punishment for whatever was done. I think I had nearly as much with them as the children did. I remember being sad when I asked where Joe (My oldest's imaginary friend.) was and my son told me that he moved to Japan. Joe never even sent a postcard! LOL!

BTW - Drop Dead Fred is one of my favorite all time movies.

Answer 4

I have four children, and only one of them ever had an imaginary friend. If you play along on a surface level ... don't bake a cake for the imaginary friend's birthday, but acknowledge that they might be in the room ... it will likely run its course. It's one way your child can "safely" play with a friend without working too hard at it. By the time school comes along, it will be a distant memory!

Answer 5

I wouldn't worry about that until you get there. My 6 y.o. has never had imaginary friends so chances are you never will deal with it. He would have little drawings he would make and play with it but that is as far as it would get. I would just go along with it...their kids and have short attention spans so he would forget about the paper friend the next day.

Better show about Imaginary friends is Fosters Home For Imaginary friends on Cartoon network. We love that show!

Answer 6

Whoa are you putting the cart before the horse? I would let my child have an imaginary friend as long as she know the real difference. If she thinks they are real whole new ballgame. Do not worry so about these issues and enjoy each stage with her. Imagination only helps a child to be independent and creative.

Answer 7

the girl in the movie drop dead Fred had the imaginary friend because her parents paid no attention to her. Give your child the attention she deserves and you wont have that problem baby doll!

Answer 8

My 4 year old daughter has an imaginary friend called cool cat. Her and cool cat have tea parties and sleep overs. She sits down and tries to read books to cool cat. She loves her imaginary friend. Mum said that i had them when i was little. i think that imaginary friends are good for kids because it shows a form of creativity

Answer 9

Go along with it. They usually grow out of them. You can also use it to your advantage. Like if you child blames the imaginary friend then punish the friend. If your child has a strong belief in the friend then it will be like punishing them and if the beleif is not strong then they will most likely grow out of it. You can also use the friend to find out the problems with your child when they don't want to talk to you. Talk to the friend and ask them what problems they are having. When your child sees that the friend can talk to you, they may open up to you with their feelings.

Answer 10

My Grandaughter has an imaginary friend named Diego. When she came to my house for visits Diego came also. My son and his wife were going balistic because she seemed obsessed with Diego, to the point that he had to eat with them during mealtime. Well, Diego could be somewhat messy when he wanted to be. My grandaughter learned very quickly that if he messed up, he was HER guest, therefore she would be responsible for his behavior. Yes, I sat them both down and told them this, after they got out of timeout one afternoon. Once she realized that I was serious, meaning she had to pick up the toys "he had tossed" as well as her own, Diego went back to "his house" wherever he stayed. I ask her about him occaisionally, she is now 3, she says he's okay, but that he doesn't come to play with her much anymore because her mom and dad makes him clean up too! ....By the way.."Drop Dead Fred" was one of our families favorite movies. Now as adults they joke about how their Momma (me) didn't fall for the imaginary friend, but turned it around on them. :)

Answer 11

Ask your self did you have an imaginary friend? I did..I think most only children have them..mu son is an only child and he has a cat?