Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

If your child develops an imaginary friend ...

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread		 This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » The DU Lounge Donate to DU
 
UndertheOcean Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 07:17 PM
Original message
If your child develops an imaginary friend ...
Edited on Sun Jun-07-09 07:18 PM by UndertheOcean
would you : a) nip such behavior in the bud
b) if "a" does not work , get him to a shrink and some pills

c) encourage it .
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
Fleshdancer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 07:25 PM
Response to Original message
1. I don't know if encouraging it is what I would do....
but it wouldn't bother me and I certainly wouldn't nip it or resort to drugs. :shrug:

It's what kids do.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Strong Atheist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 07:26 PM
Response to Original message
2. I had an imaginary friend, but he said I was boring and ran away. nt.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
EvolveOrConvolve Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-09-09 06:07 PM
Response to Reply #2
29. You got off easy
Mine hit me and took away my New York Seltzer.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Strong Atheist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-09-09 06:16 PM
Response to Reply #29
32. Well dang, that wasn't nice... nt.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mwooldri Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 07:26 PM
Response to Original message
3. d) None of the above.
I wouldn't nip the behaviour, it's normal at certain ages to have imaginary friends. However since it is not a social norm, neither would I encourage it. I'd go along with the flow, acknowledge this existence but wouldn't go out of my way to enourage it or restrain it.

Mark.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
rurallib Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 07:30 PM
Response to Original message
4. I would say treat the invisible friend as you treat your mate
try to pretend they don't exist, but give a grudging acknowledgement when you must.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
UndertheOcean Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 07:32 PM
Response to Reply #4
5. haha , funny !
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
knowbody0 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 07:35 PM
Response to Original message
6. my youngest child had two
soucia and pumba (this was b4 the Lion King) It was fascinating to witness, and she giggled and squeeled with them. at 3 her grandparents took her to disneyland and she came home with out her imaginaries. I asked her what happened, she said they were bored and jumped out of the van into a mud puddle and waved goodbye to her.

she's 22 now and clearly remembers them. I am glad I neither poopood nor encouraged their presence. evidently, pumba was the boy and soucia was the girl, and they wore a wedding dress and tuxedo. good times
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Blue Diadem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 08:14 PM
Response to Reply #6
7. My daughter had two as well.
Shauby and Joo Joo. I think they were around for a year or two, before she began preschool.

My granddaughter(her daughter) had one but it was very short lived, just a few months and I don't even remember the name.

Remembering those times made me smile.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
knowbody0 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 09:38 PM
Response to Reply #7
17. I'd watch her totally absorbed with them
squeeling in delightful dialog, talking so fast, sometimes scolding them then laughing an absolute belly laugh. I wanted so to play with them too. all i had at that age was a creepy monster perched on the crib railing. I did not know what to do about these imaginaries, so I just observed. such a good memory.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Blue Diadem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 10:13 PM
Response to Reply #17
21. My daughter really enjoyed hers too.
I can remember tea(Kool-aid) at the play table and she reminded me that I forgot to give them some. She was quite happy when I pretend poured some in their little cups she had for them. I think that's the only time I "participated". Like you, I observed and enjoyed. They are some very fun memories.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
AwakeAtLast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 08:24 PM
Response to Original message
8. I had one
and my sister talked to the wall. I'm sure my Mother thought both her girls were in need of some intervention, but she just let us do our thing.

We are both somewhat normal, I guess. ;)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Kali Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 08:26 PM
Response to Original message
9. My Mom did a woodcut print of mine.


Oh and I agree with above, just let it be, I think it's pretty normal.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
latebloomer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 09:37 PM
Response to Reply #9
16. How cool that she did that!
Does the friend look the way you pictured it?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Kali Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 10:58 PM
Response to Reply #16
22. I honestly have no memory of it.
Apparently the mouse did all the naughty things "we" got caught doing.:rofl:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mzteris Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 09:28 PM
Response to Original message
10. C!
Imaginary friends are the BEST! My son had a whole crowd of them. It was hysterical and sweet and just a wonderful thing.

Great imaginations are a sign of intelligence and creativity.

(and at 15, that's still holding true.)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
The Velveteen Ocelot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 09:29 PM
Response to Original message
11. I think I may have been some other kid's imaginary friend.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
nuxvomica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-09-09 06:20 PM
Response to Reply #11
33. You just blew my mind
:nuke:
:crazy:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mopinko Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 09:31 PM
Response to Original message
12. d) get a pet.
i had many imaginary pets. giraffes, camel, horses. they couldn't hold a candle to my first dog, tho.

seriously, i would have a nice chat, sharing my past friends, and encourage them to draw pictures of them.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Captain Hilts Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 09:32 PM
Response to Original message
13. Make room for it in the back seat. nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
crim son Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 09:33 PM
Response to Original message
14. My o*dest and youngest both had imaginary friends.
I waited it out, and reminded them the friend was imaginary when s/he/it became a nuisance now and then. No shrink required! FWIW, my daughter's friend was ca**ed "Ka*ikibook* and my son's was "Ske*eton". Weird but harm*ess.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Rising Phoenix Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-08-09 09:23 AM
Response to Reply #14
24. can I ask what is up with your L's
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
crim son Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-08-09 10:01 AM
Response to Reply #24
26. Just PMd you, not that it's a secret.
My keyboard is broken. I'm a*so *osing the *etter "k" and I have no co*on or semico*on. Exce**ent, eh? No smi*ies from me!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Rabrrrrrr Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-09-09 07:03 PM
Response to Reply #26
39. I had to type a final paper in grad school with no "k" and no some other letter.
My laptop keyboard was dying.

Got pretty good at substituting qqq for "k" and I think "eee" for the other letter, then would do global search and replace.

Pain in the ass, though.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
crim son Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-09-09 08:39 PM
Response to Reply #39
45. If I have serious typing to do I wi** remember
"search and rep*ace." Hadn't thought of it, grand idea!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
lost-in-nj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 09:34 PM
Response to Original message
15. My son had an imaginary friend
Edited on Sun Jun-07-09 09:37 PM by lost-in-nj
his name was KEE

one day we were walking through the CD dept of a store and he started yelling KEE! KEE!


this is the picture of KEE




I shit you not


Rick James

WTF???


never encouraged or stopped the idea

:hi:

lost
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
latebloomer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 09:38 PM
Response to Reply #15
18. That's hysterical!
"Super-freak, super-freak"
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
UndertheOcean Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 09:42 PM
Response to Reply #15
19. HaHa !!!!
:rofl:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
GreenPartyVoter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Jun-07-09 09:43 PM
Response to Original message
20. I'd go along with it as long as it seemed healthy.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Rising Phoenix Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-08-09 09:21 AM
Response to Original message
23. Mine was named Mimi
I was very young when I had her, unsually so, and I don't remember her at all. My mom tells me she was a waitress. I don't know why she left.

I think it is very natural for a child to have one and would only worry if the child would talk of abuse or violence with the said friend, or if it went on for too long a time....into school years etc.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
southpaw Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-08-09 09:27 AM
Response to Original message
25. Mine got me into a shite-load of trouble


glad he stopped coming around!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Deep13 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-08-09 10:08 AM
Response to Original message
27. Neither encourage nor discourage it. nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Arkansas Granny Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Jun-08-09 10:15 AM
Response to Original message
28. Imaginary friends are quite common in young children and nothing to worry about.
Check the google and you'll find lots of info.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Deep13 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-09-09 06:11 PM
Response to Original message
30. As long as he does not found a religion on it, he's okay.
:hide:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Shell Beau Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-09-09 06:14 PM
Response to Original message
31. My niece had a few imaginary friends when she was 3.
They all had separate names and personalities. She grew out of it, but they never encouraged it or tried to nip it in the bud. She just had a very vivid imagination. Still does.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
TheCentepedeShoes Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-09-09 06:40 PM
Response to Original message
34. Ignore it
unless it's a 7 foot rabbit named Harvey
People will think you (not your child) are crazy
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Inchworm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-09-09 06:42 PM
Response to Original message
35. d) none of the above
hmm.. aren't all friends imaginary?

:silly:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Xipe Totec Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-09-09 06:45 PM
Response to Reply #35
36. We are...
:hi:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Inchworm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-09-09 06:47 PM
Response to Reply #36
37. Is that you, Margaret?
it's me again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPrQOiS_zLQ

:crazy:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Xipe Totec Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-09-09 06:58 PM
Response to Reply #37
38. Gaius & Number Six...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTaC3I5K8pk
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
woo me with science Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-09-09 07:08 PM
Response to Original message
40. Oh, it's very, very serious.
Certainly evidence of multiple personalities. :rofl:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
cwydro Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-09-09 07:19 PM
Response to Original message
41. I had like 5 or 6 when I was a kid,
according to my mom. They all had a back story.

Their names are still known in our family and a family joke.

But I remember them all well.;-)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
foxfeet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-09-09 08:26 PM
Response to Original message
42. Hope his name isn't "Captain Howdy."
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Dappleganger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-09-09 08:31 PM
Response to Original message
43. Our oldest daughter used to carry around an imaginary baby chick
She was 2-3 years old at the time. We drove to NH from VA one summer with my mother and she sang to it the entire time.

Is that the same? I can't remember what happened, she is 17 now.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Ikonoklast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jun-09-09 08:33 PM
Response to Original message
44. As long as he doesn't start chanting
"Redrum. REDRUM!!!", you should be ok.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
and-justice-for-all Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jun-17-09 05:52 AM
Response to Original message
46. Imaginary friends are fine.....for children...
its when they become adults when it can become an issue.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Sat May 04th 2024, 05:45 AM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » The DU Lounge Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC