How to Treat Your Child's Imaginary Friend

Almost any child at one time or another will have an imaginary friend. This is completely healthy and natural. Chances are that you probably had an imaginary friend yourself. Here is how to treat your child's imaginary friend.

Instructions

1. Ask your child about the history of the imaginary friend. For example, you could ask your child where she met her imaginary friend or how old the friend is. This will help your child to become more creative and increase your child's imagination.

2. Talk to your child's imaginary friend. Obviously, you'll have to do this through your child as he can hear the friend and you can't. For example, you could ask your child if his friend is hungry or how the friend's day is going.

3. Act as if the imaginary friend is truly around. You could do this simply by setting a plate out for the friend while your child is eating or an extra blanket next to your child's bed.

4. Ignore the imaginary friend if your child wishes you to do so. Some children only play with an imaginary friend when nobody else is around. If that is the case with your child, you should oblige.

5. Don't give extra things to your child's imaginary friends. For example, you can set out a plate for the imaginary friend but you shouldn't actually place food on the plate. Your child may consume the food in order to continue the game.

6. Be careful that things don't get out of hand. If your child begins to spend more time with her imaginary friend than she does actual friends, you may need to step in. It's important that your child still socialize with other kids her age.