When your child first introduces her imaginary friend, the horror movie aficionado within you may feel an eerie tingling. After all, innocent children with creepy invisible companions are a staple of scream cinema. As a parent, however, your concerns will soon turn to wondering why your child has glommed onto this curious, rainbow-unicorn alter-ego with very particular food preferences and a tendency to lag behind.
Fortunately, there’s no need to call a minister, a therapist, or break out the holy water. When it comes to imaginary friends, old tropes and horror-movie standards simply don’t apply.
It’s Not Only The Lonely
For a long time, imaginary friends were considered the pals of only children, who were forced to invent a boon companion to fill the lonely void of their sibling-less lives. Although older children and only children are more likely to have an invisible companion, one to two-thirds of three-to-seven-year-olds do so. Contrary to popular worry, such children excel socially, tend to have a highly-developed vocabulary, and exhibit a clear capacity for creativity.
The Bounding Of A Wild Imagination
It takes an imaginative kid to invent a special friend. Most active, curious children play with stuffed animals, figurines, and dolls in a way that grants particular personalities to each. There are villains and heroes, tricksters and kings, warriors and princesses, the wicked and the good and the sly. But some kids take that internal narrative one step further. These new amigos can be distinctly human, a talkative animal, or utterly fantastic. The range of possibilities is as limitless as a child’s unbound imagination.
Help In A Time Of Need
In cases where a child’s life is in upheaval—perhaps due to the arrival of a new sibling, a move to a new home, or even a divorce—an imaginary friend can be a source of great comfort. Invisible pals allow these children to cope with fears or work out complicated issues in a way that is one emotional step removed. In some sobering cases, invisible companions allow troubled children to deal with severe emotional trauma.
Should I Invite The Alien Llama To Dinner?
The best way to react to your child’s ghostly buddy is to just play along. Ask questions about what the friend looks like, what he likes to eat, and what his favorite toys are. Invite him to dinner and set out a plate. Remember to set limits, however, in case your child decides to shift blame for spilled milk onto a culprit you can’t discipline.
Invisible buddies won’t hang around forever, so enjoy your child’s unique creation as long as you can.
