imaginary friends ... a good or bad thing?????

[demonherald]

Well my little pride and joy had his third birthday not so long back....his latest thing is an imaginary friend .. A dragon called diego.... He waits until diego flys away before going to bed,, he asks me and the missus to bring drinks for him and asks if he can come when we go out or go to the shops and even uses the excuse these are Diego's favourites to get sweets at the supermarket...

Personally I see it as an active imagination and an outlet for him as he hasn't been mixing with many kids his own age recently but a ew school in two weeks should help that..

however when I've mentioned it to family I've had mixed responses from..awwww..how cute to woah...be careful there that's not a good thing....

So I was wondering any of you guys had any experience with this kind of thing and is it nothing to worry about something to watch or just good old childhood development?????

cheers...

p.s Jeff (dragonforge) is excused from answering as the only friends he has are imaginary and I don't want to spoil his fun...:vb_devil:

[talonicus]

My little fella Archie occasionally has an imaginary friend. I think it shows a great active imagination. I really wouldn't worry about it all.
He also uses it as a way to get extra chocolate etc.... as his friend needs it.
I was obviously born yesterday and fall for it everytime.
:laugh:

[demonherald]

or maybe kids just realise instinctively dads are a soft touch..;-)

[waghorn41]

Just a child's natural imagination, don't worry about it.
My 5 kids are all fine. :rolleyes:
But if the friend is still there when they reach adulthood watch out - especially if its' a 6ft bunny!:eek:

[wiccanpony]

Imaginary friends are just fine at his age, it’s normal and when he becomes a teen and discovers girls, poor Diego will get the boot. I mean can Puff the Magic Dragon be wrong.

oh! and by the way Harvey says Hi to Diego :)

[Jabberwocky]

Agreed. I think it is a sign of a healthy imagination. My friend George kept me occupied for a few years and I turned out ok (at least George thinks so...).

[matty1001]

When I first read it I thought you had an imaginary friend Rob, and I was about to advise keeping away from the dope for a couple of weeks! lol

I never had an imaginary mate, and I don't think I knew anyone that had one, unless they kept them secret. But I don't see how it could be a bad thing.

And you can tell which ones are the natural born business men, using their imaginary mates to stockpile extra supplies.
Archie probably hasn't even got an imaginary mate, he probably just realises his old man is a muppet. He has a real double bluff going.
Good for him. Give him some extra chocolate from me :)

[Duende]

My little girl has one briefly around the age of three. She's five now and instead of imaginary friends, she's now personified her stuffed animals, which is probably helped by shows like Pokemon and Dora where all animals talk and interact with humans.
So I think it's perfectly normal, but like waghorn said, if it lasts into his teenage years, then that might be cause for concern. I think it's just a sign of an active imagination... but sheesh, look who his father is..... ;)

Just my two cents. :)

[demonherald]

@matty I do have a little painting monkey that I talk to and ask it what it thinks when I ca't be bothered or am unable to do a wip post...:D The thing with Archie is he probably cons his dad into buying the chocolate but then has to reach up to the bottom shelf for it for Nigel...

And Duende ...I shall ignore that comment on the grounds that it may induce a sudden resin hording behaviour on my part.:p:

gotta admit I find his little phase pretty cool.. The fact it is a dragon and all says he spends way too much time looking at my paint desk....bless him....

here he is earlier today when we had some much needed and rarely achieved of late R&R

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j303/demonslairmodels/harewoodjune08-24.jpg


and having a hug with mum...awwwwww...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j303/demonslairmodels/harewoodjune08-5.jpg

[james sequeira]

be thankful he isnt seeing a giant rabbit lol

[goblyn13]

be thankful he isnt seeing a giant rabbit lol

If he was, these would solve the problem

http://goblyn.net/img//HolyHAndGrenade-20080603-193826.jpg

[Moavoamoatu]

Is it a subliminal picture ?...When I look carefully I see a dragon or a devil on the left side :D

[Moavoamoatu]

be thankful he isnt seeing a giant rabbit lol

He should stop playing The SIMS 2....