Imaginary friend.... how should we respond.

lyhmgt

So, B has turned 4 and 2 weeks ago he moved up to the 4 year old room at daycare.  He left his best friend and 2 other boys that he always played with behind because they are still 3.  Although he is apparently making friends in the new room, he still talks about the other kids.  Well, this morning, he informed me that he has a 3 year old brother named Andrew, and Andrew goes to his old classroom.  So, now all night he has been wanting us to do everything with Andrew--- brush his teeth, put him in the shower, put his pj's on, etc.  We're fine with his imaginary friend, but I'm not really sure how DH and I should respond.  Should we feed into it and 'brush' Andrew's teeth?  I haven't done a google search on it yet since today is day 1 and who knows, Andrew might disappear tomorrow or the next day.  Any feedback would be helpful.

Thanks.

amiamish

I would probably tell him- "andrew is you're pretend friend, if he can't do things for himself then you need to help him." And make/let him do all the care...

Marce921

I'm not sure what to tell you, but I'd probably go with it. 

Whatever you do, don't sit on "Andrew." My mom and aunt used to sit on my imaginary friends and I would have a cow. LOL

 

amiamish

Marce921:

Whatever you do, don't sit on "Andrew." My mom and aunt used to sit on my imaginary friends and I would have a cow. LOL

 

hahaha!!!!! LMAO!!!

emilykristene2006

We play along with DD's imaginary friends. She has an imaginary sister that I had to take to a different school after I dropped her off. And a dog I had to take to doggie daycare.

I don't think there is anything wrong with it. You are encouraging imaginative play.

JOEBunny

Marce921:

I'm not sure what to tell you, but I'd probably go with it. 

Whatever you do, don't sit on "Andrew." My mom and aunt used to sit on my imaginary friends and I would have a cow. LOL

 

I would go along too, but then again DH and I have an invisible dog.  He farts, breaks things, steals the kids toys, especially the ones we hate, and generally messes things up.  

Marce921

JOEBunny:

Marce921:

I'm not sure what to tell you, but I'd probably go with it. 

Whatever you do, don't sit on "Andrew." My mom and aunt used to sit on my imaginary friends and I would have a cow. LOL

 

I would go along too, but then again DH and I have an invisible dog.  He farts, breaks things, steals the kids toys, especially the ones we hate, and generally messes things up.  

LOL Joe! Too funny!

femmegem

We played along, and so did A's teachers. It didn't last that long and made him happy.

summerbrideDC

I would absolutely play along; imaginary friends are a pretty normal developmental stage for kids, especially when they are going through changes in their normal social routine.  

lyhmgt

Thanks for the input ladies.  I have gone along with a few things today.  I guess we'll see how tomorrow goes.