My son (4 1/2) has just informed me that he has a "friend" that only he can see living in our apartment. He is very detailed about this little boys appearance, age, and he even has a name. He seems so real to my son, and my son knows and acknowledges that only he can see him. Has anyone else ever dealt with this? Do, I just play along like this person is real, or do I just not say anything about it, or do I tell my son he is not real....??? Thanks for the tips...this is all new to me.
2007-03-09 07:58:21 · 25 answers · asked by Angela S 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Just don't sit on the friend if he is on a chair.
2007-03-09 08:55:11 · answer #1 · answered by Gone fishin' 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Having an imaginary friend is very common for an only child. I would not go so far as to play along but I wouldn't make a big deal out of it either. My Son had one from the age of 3 1/2 to about 5. They usually get over it about the time they start school.
2007-03-09 08:43:09 · answer #2 · answered by angie 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
my son has a friend names "BOB". My son is 9 and he has had this friend since he was 4. I just played along with him the whole time. He knows now that it is just a joke but he said sometimes it makes him feel like he is not alone and does not have to be scared. He even set up something on his bike where he could jump off it while riding it and it would roll half way down the block with just Bob riding it. Its pretty cool. I don't think you have anything to worry about, just play along with him.
2007-03-09 08:03:25 · answer #3 · answered by bb77blueeyes 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Play along and have fun with it. Once in a while, ask your son what his friend is doing. For fun, set a plate at the table for the friend and take food when your son isn't looking and tell him his friend must have eaten it. Kids who are 4 1/2 know what's real and not -- and they love playing games. He will get a kick out of it.
2007-03-09 08:02:48 · answer #4 · answered by Investor 2006 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I say go along with it, too. It's actually very common for kids to have imaginary friends. My oldest daughter had one named "Kay" - she naturally outgrew her by the time she was 10 or so. I remember having one named "Barbie," and one named "Stacy," too, from the time I was around 3 or 4 to the time I was about 6.
In all likelihood, your son probably observes you and his father and other people in his life talking about people he's never met before - how does he know they're "real" and not "pretend?" He wants to be like you, so he talks about his own "people" that you've never met! And you wouldn't like him to tell you that your friends, etc., aren't "real," so don't tell him his aren't, either. They'll go away by themselves one day, and you will remember this time with fondness and maybe even be a little bit sad that it passed so quickly.
Enjoy him while he's young!
Hope this helps.
2007-03-09 08:07:04 · answer #5 · answered by Poopy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My little girl had an imaginary cat friend that would go with us everywhere but she soon forgot about him once I got her involved in different activities outside of our house with other kids. Go along with your son. He may be going through a phase ( I know I had an imaginary friend when I was little) Maybe he needs more friends his age to play with, try getting him on playdates with other kids his age.
2007-03-09 08:03:44 · answer #6 · answered by ve 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know, never had to deal with that. I'd ask a professional. Perhaps your child needs a friend his own age to hang with during the day. Does he have brothers/sisters? I have 5 kids ages 4-19 and not one of them had an imaginary friend to such a detailed degree as you are describing. My 14 yr old daughter use to pretend she was a dog alot but that was cause she wanted a dog but I wouldn't let her have one til she got older. NOW we have a REAL dog who is 6.5 yrs old no more imagined dogs. lol Good luck!
2007-03-09 08:04:51 · answer #7 · answered by luv2bake 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it form of feels to be something it is generic at his age. I had 2 cousins that went interior the path of an identical area. it is going to say no as he gets older. and you will start to additionally %. up on whilst he's mendacity and whilst he's telling the reality. then you definately would be waiting to coax him into telling you the reality. examine the positioning interior the source under. For the large lies it states and that i quote: once you seize them in an important lie that has to do with their secure practices or emotional wellbeing, take them for a walk, or some inner maximum place, tell them to take heed to, and lay out what you be responsive to. do not nook and interrogate them; they simply squirm and lie greater to guard themselves out of your anger and unhappiness. supply them of venture to be disappointed, then talk approximately have confidence and self-deception simply by fact the real effects. Then think of with them jointly approximately the thank you to repair the wear. in case you get stony silence, attempt back later, yet do not berate, degrade, or humiliate. You grow to be the undertaking, then, not the lie. Then after that there is a ingredient on discipline that could help for whilst he tells massive lies - He desires to income that there are effects for his movements. there is likewise a e book from Amazon approximately why little ones lie and the thank you to inspire truthfulness yet i don't think of you prefer it. supply him 2 years and his imaginary acquaintances will disappear and the form of lies will decline. I even have not have been given little ones yet so have not any own adventure different than that of siblings and youthful relatives. each and all the terrific.
2016-10-17 23:35:13 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a future writer maybe. Support him no matter what. My daughter talks about imaginary friends, perhaps not in such detail, but I ask her questions about them and go along with it. I try never to negate her, only correct her when she is not using her manners or may do something where she could get hurt. Don't worry mom.
2007-03-09 08:03:51 · answer #9 · answered by crct2004 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Embrace the friend and let him be a part of your family. Your son could be feeling a little lonely so, taking the time to play with him and his friend may make his friend go away. Treat his friend the same way you treat your son and you'll find it much easier to deal with.
2007-03-09 19:11:44 · answer #10 · answered by Smudga 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When my daughter was 3 she had a friend "Nathan" who lived at our house. We even set a place at the table each night for him each night. It showed creativity on her part and we played it out until she got tired of it. Took 5-6 months. Play along. It's good for him.
2007-03-10 03:54:16 · answer #11 · answered by mimegamy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋