My son thinks he is Luigi, from the Mario brothers, I'm all about big imaginations, but is it unhealthy?

Question

So seriously my son really believes he is Luigi (he is three, with a four year old brother and 8 yrold sis), why Luigi, cuz he is the little brother, so he tells us. My other two children had decent imaginations, but never this unbending. When I call for him he will flat out refuse to acknowledge me, or will correct me and say he is Luigi, not Afton. It is to the point that at the docters when they call us back he wouldn't go untill they asked for Luigi, and not to mention how embarassing it is to be in Walmart, and have to say "Luigi put that down and stay with mommy", the other moms just give me a look like oh no you didn't name that baby that! Although funny, it is a bit much, and I guess what I am asking is has anyone else have had to go through this with a child, and did it eventually stop? Even his brother and sister faithfully address him as Luigi, my husband and I do to...

Answer 1

First off, thanks for bringing a smile to my day - that is a really funny story. While I am sure that can sometimes get exasperating, my guess would be that this is nothing more than a phase.

When my brother was 4 years old, he ate Rice Krispies for breakfast, lunch and dinner. He refused all other foods. My mother got so worried that she took him to our wise old pediatrician who said, "Give him Rice Krispies. He'll eat something else when he's ready." And 4 months later, the phase was over. (And my mom didn't have to do battle with a willful child.)

So your son has a big imagination. Good for him. Let him be Luigi. He'll outgrow it and be on to something else soon enough. Sounds like he is a funny and clever kid - enjoy him - as you know, the time goes too quickly.

Bottom line is that you are blessed with 3 happy and healthy children - regardless of what they are called!

Answer 2

How frustrating! I have a close friend who's daughter does that - she insists she's a disney princess. It can be frustrating, but it's worth encouraging your child's imagination to play along whenever possible.

However, I don't know your situation. If you really need Afton back, perhaps denying Luigi story time, dessert, or other priveleges would cause Afton to appear to claim those things...

I can't tell you when he'll grow out of because all kids are different, but I know that my friend's 'little princess' eventually did. She didn't like the other kids in preschool making fun of her, and decided it wasn't cute anymore. It lasted about a year, in varying degrees.

Answer 3

I am no parent but I think if you try to repress his representation that will further increase his determination to be called Luigi. I would sit down and explain to him that his name is not Luigi but Afton. Allow him to explain why he believes he is Luigi. I would give it a month or so to see if he is still acting that way. If the imagination persists then I suggest seeing a child psychologist to find out more info. And do not call him Luigi but dont be hurtful in the manner you do it. Anyways, best of luck to you and your son.

Answer 4

I've personally never experienced it.. it does sound a little entertaining but I could imagine how frustrating.

I think you all should stop calling him by Luigi and dont ever call him that again. and tell him that, thats the way its going to be at home and anywhere else. Tell him if he doesnt go by his given name you are going to take something he enjoys away from him each time.

You probably just have to put your foot down if you want it to stop.

Answer 5

Its great that your son had an imaginations and its not unhealthy. If your son wants you to call him Luigi then who cares what other people think. All my kids have nicknames and i dont care if people give dirty looks

Answer 6

particular, they are brothers, and this has been suggested in numerous of the video games. in accordance to the excellent Mario Bros action picture (the cheese stay-action one), their names are Mario Mario and Luigi Mario. so because it truly is why they are noted as the Mario Bros.

Answer 7

nah, he's just being a kid with a great imagination. My 4 year old brother thinks he's a monster truck and does nothing but make monster truck noises and stuff ALL the time. Its a phase. Let him enjoy and take plently of pics for his yearbook and girlfriends when he gets older! (IF he's still doing it at like 5, maybe then I would worry)

Answer 8

My little brother for a long time liked to think of himself as Mario. Never to the extend of the way you described your son, but he has grown out of it. But he is still obsessed with our Gamecube and constantly plays it. So over the years we have gotten a trampoline and a dog to help get himi out of the house and to be more active and that has helped.But as for being Mario he has grown out of it, although every now and then he walks in circles and makes up his own theme music pretending that he is in one of his games.

Answer 9

The child grows the way u bring him up. U have already given space o his thought, which he thinks to be a real one & refuses to get from it.

U should teach him good things when he is still a child & would quickly learn.

Answer 10

thats cute! there isnt anything wrong with a good imagination, little kids go around thinking they are spiderman and superwoman, and there is nothing wrong with that. At least he has an imagination, now if he starts acting like he's 80 then i'd worry!