My Daughter Constantly Talks to Imaginary Friend

Thats funny that her care bear's name is champ because my son is 4 and his care bear's name is champ too. To tell you the truth, the only reason many of us get worried about imaginary friends is because of the movies we see and wonder if they see something we don't. To put your mind at ease, they really do not see them. Its all make believe. Its something to occupy themselves...especially if they are the only child. But before you take a breath of relief, also look at what has been happening in the last 6 months. Has anything significant happened that might make your child a little lonely or insecure? If not then I wouldn't worry. I give your child another 6 months to a year and Champ will disappear...escpecially when she starts school and has real friends. Oh and where did the name champ come from? Mine is from Lake Champlain the sea creature named Champ....funny how kids are huh?

This is perfectly normal. Young children are able to see and feel energy that most adults cannot. This comes in the form of angels, ghosts, or other energetic beings that most adults consider to be "imaginary" friends. As we grow up, society often frowns upon it, and children think that this is bad and that they are abnormal. So many of us learn to shut off this gift and lose the ability to see this energy. It's sort of like the bell in the Polar Express. When your young and pure and you believe because society hasn't corrupted your mind yet, you hear the bell. But when you grow older and logic takes place over the magic, you cannot hear the bell. You may think I'm crazy for saying this, but it is true. And it is possible to rekindle the connection as adults and be able to see and feel this energy. It really is a wonderful thing and I hope you don't discourage your daughter from enjoying it.

There is nothing wrong with this at all. All kids have one at some time in their life. I had one, my little brother had one.

His was the most interesting as his was his reflection in our kitchen window. His name was Dickery Dackory and he had a brother named Bob who liked me. My brother was about your daughters age when he had his.

My brothers first appeared when my parents got separated and it lasted a couple of years. I always thought of his "friend" as a emotional help to get him through this trying time.

Mine on the other hand was just a friend that I talked to and played with.

As all the others have stated - yes, it is perfectly normal, and actually quite healthy.

When I was about your daughter's age, I had THREE imaginary friends. My mom stayed home with me, my siblings were 11 & 12 years older (not exactly playmates) and there were no kids in the neighborhood. I used to open & close doors for them, set places for them at the table, and talk to them at length when I couldn't fall asleep. Finally, my mother decided that I might need some playmates my own age and started sending me to nursery school part-time. It wasn't long before the imaginary friends started to fade away (although I hung onto my favorite for a while longer and talked about him so much that my nursery school teacher thought my mother had another baby!). By the time I was finished kindergarten & starting first grade, I no longer talked to my imaginary friends & they disappeared.

Do you go to any regular playgroups with your daughter? Does she have other kids to play with? If not, she might be looking for some companionship with someone who is closer to her in age. Even so, she might still hang onto her imaginary friend - as others pointed out, it's a good sign on a number of different levels.

Enjoy the stage while it lasts - unbridled imagination is a wonderful thing!

Hi! A.,
I have a 9yr old son and 4 yr old daughter, my son had a imigianary friend from about 3-5 I felt freaked out as well, but it is perfectly normal it is a way of them exploring their imigination and helps them get ready to be with other children and play. My daughter still does it she has tea partys with all of her stuffed animals and theres always a friend involved she actually takes her friend on errands with us instead of her stuffed animals she knows you can't bring your babies into a store because they'll think you stole it so she says well they can't say i stole nmy friend because only I can see her. I hope I was of help.. Good Luck with this situation and also with trying for another baby.

YES! She is normal she is using her imagination. none of my kids had an imaginary friend so far but I had one when I was a child. I had two brothers and I think I made "Lisa" up for a female companion or something. I'm not sure why but it is normal.lol

Hi A., my son who is 4 will be 5 in June, has been talking to "dude" for the last 6 months too. I have been wondering whats been going on as well. the physic Silvia brown always says kids these ages can see spirits and such. so I dunno. I ask him what does dude look like, how old he is and he says he is blonde like him and he is 7, well 7 years ago my first pregnancy was a still born so I am thinking maybe it is his brother he is seeing. who knows, but I always tell him to tell Dude i say hello and that I miss him. so play with it have fun maybe it is someone who passed or maybe its just an imaginary friend if your daughter is happy then just be happy for her. good luck

I have a 6 1/2 yr old & 4 year old and at times they also play with their imaginary friend, "Mark the Measurer". He's a happy fellow who likes to measure things. They'll compete in foot races, riding bikes or any number of things. It seems to be pretty harmless and the less I pay attention to "Mark" the less he seems to come around. I've heard of other kids having imaginary friends and it seems to be a pretty normal thing. Like most behaviors, I've found as long as it's not hurtful or dangerous in any way, the less I pay attention, the shorter it lasts. Good luck!

A., My Daughter just turned 5 last Monday and she has a orange & green teddy bear that she calls "Brian" and he is her boyfriend!!!! EEEKS! She will talk to him and tell us that she is going out with him that night to a "ball" and she has to get dressed up b/c he is picking her up soon!lol.
I was worried about this at first but was also told by her pre-school teacher that it is very normal, and it dones show a great imagination on her part.
So, I would not worry at all about it. if it makes you feel better you can ask her Ped too.

i teach second grade and some of my kids still have imaginary friends. totally normal, it gives them the chance to experience a variety of different situations safely.

i just tell my kids that the imaginary friends have to stay home.

this is so totally normal!!! don't worry about it!!!!

I have two girls (4 and 8). My 8 year old had an imaginary friend from about 2 years to around 5 years. Our pediatrician told us it was completely normal and healthy. It is a sign of a good imagination. When she didn't have anyone else to play with "Angelique" would come for a visit and have dinner with us in her own seat. Then one day Angelique just stopped coming over and real friends started too. My advice is to encourage this play and have fun with it, a good imagination is not a thing to waste. My 4 year old still "talks to angels" when she plays by herself.

A.,
It is completly normal. Healthy even for her to have an active imagination. Do not laugh or make fun of her, she will simply grow out of it before you know it. One day when she's older you can tell her about "champ" and have a good laugh.

I have heard that this is very normal. It's a young person's way of learning to socialize. I wouldn't worry.

you may think I am crazy, young children can see angels or ghosts & talk to them because they are so pure & young. As they grow older it fades away.

Hi There,
Yes this is normal.
Have you ever seen a childrens Tv show called Charlie & Lola, I think it would be good for both of you to watch. Lola has an invisible friend too (Soren Lorensen), as your daughter gets older, if the imaginary friend stays this Tv show will demonstrate to her the different aspects of what an imaginary friend is, It will also help you to cope with it by watching how Charlie (the older brother) repsonds to Soren & Lola's activities, such as when Lola blames Soren for breaking Charlies Model Rocket.
To be honest imagination is a good thing and should be cherished, theres a lot of kids out there who have forgotton about make believe!
Alternantivly perhaps she is lonely?? Is she an only child, perhaps Kindergarten, or a play group. Or maybe a kitten or fish? would help and direct her attention towards a real play mate.
Hope this helps.
I wish I had had an invisible friend when I was little, instead of all my horrible brothers! lol
E. xxx