Mom Talk

My daughter has adopted a group of imaginary friends. That’s right, she doesn’t have just one, she has several. She calls some of them her sisters. I think the large number is so she can outdo Lily, her little friend. She told me this morning that Lily only has two friends but she has a lot. A little worried about this development, I asked her if she can see her friends or if they’re pretend. She sighed an exasperated sigh and said, “Of COURSE they’re pretend, Mommy.” That’s a good thing I guess.

Still a bit concerned I Googled imaginary friends today and discovered that they are a healthy part of normal childhood development. Usually the kids who create them are creative and bright. That’s a relief. I knew she had an active imagination but the friends just appeared this week. The psychology sites I read say not to argue with her that her imaginary friends aren’t real but also, not to talk to the friends or incorporate them too much into the family. Otherwise, they might stick around a little longer than you’d like. So I guess I’ll let Emmy, Vonald, Maggie, Ronald, Emma, Gilbert and Lemma hang out with her for as long as she wants them. As long as I don’t have to feed them, it won’t be too much trouble.