As a parent you are in the unique position of being able to observe your child's daily behavior and track his/her growth and development. Is your child okay? Sometimes it's not easy to tell. Every few weeks we post a new question and answer.
Is my Kid OK?
Q: I recently discovered that my son has an imaginary friend. His friend came about a year ago when we moved to a new house. He pops in from time to time and he just wants to play and I think his friend may have gotten in trouble a few times. He looks kind of scary but my son says he isn't scared of him. He has white hair and red eyes and reminds him of a cave man the way he dresses. Is this normal?
A: Many young children develop imaginary friends, and they eventually disappear. An imaginary friend is the product of a curious and creative mind figuring out how to make sense of the widening world. Anxieties associated with major changes in a child's life, such as a new baby, a move or a divorce, may also be reflected in
the child's relationship with the imaginary playmate. Parents should encourage the child to have real life friends.
The following articles on AboutOurKids.org can be helpful in understanding imaginary friends:
