PW: Last one, invisible friend?

IAM4UK

Katie has an invisible friend named Abby. Abby used to be in her class at school and they were inseparable based on what the teacher told me. Well, Abby is older and moved into the 3 year old room. She has been in the 3 year old room for over 5 months now.

However, Abby is still around according to Katie. They play together and everything at school and at home. Katie blames Abby on things when she does something wrong.

Katie spilled her milk and told me that Abby did it. Katie was at my office and said that Abby was cold and needed a blanket. Katie sits in the potty and Abby needs a potty to sit on as well.

Do I encorage this "friend" and talk to her like she exists or do I ignore the friend. It's kind of been a challenge when discplining her especially when she says that Abby did it. Any advice?

 

KristenBtobe

No experience with this one yet, but I've heard invisible friends are a sign of a very active imagination. You've got a smarty pants on your hands! I think I'd acknowledge her, but make sure Katie knows that even if Abby did it, since Mommy can't see her Katie has to take the punishment or show Abby how to sit in time out etc.

MrsMoher

Eli has me talk to his imaginary friend Jason (don't know where he even heard the name, no kid's at school by that name) on the phone (AKA mommy's ipod, which is apparently the best way to reach Jason) to invite him to dinner or come over to play.  One day Jason was smoking and I told Eli he wasn't allowed to play with him if he smoked... thankfully Jason cleaned up his act.  WTH do they get it?