by Renee Morgan

Created on: June 16, 2008   Last Updated: July 11, 2011

I think imaginary friends are good for everyone and it is a good sign that the mind is working.

All of my sons had imaginary friends, but they were short lived. From what I have seen girls are more likely to have imaginary friends' long term. My baby sister had one until she was about 6 years old, a second cousin (boy, father side) had one until he was 4 years old, a second cousin (girl, mother side) had one until she was about 7 or 8 years old and my niece at 15 years old, think she still have hers. Last but not least, I never had I imaginary friend until I got grown and on my own and at 45 years old and still have the imaginary friends whom I picked up at twenty something.

Imaginary friends are what keep us company in dark and when times of loneliness come calling. Imaginary friends will more times then not what keeps us for doing wrong. In addition, as a child they are someone we can point the finger at when we do wrong. We can say that I didn't do that Brenda did it and sometimes since mom cannot see Brenda, Brenda cannot get in trouble.

In a sense, the imaginary friend can work as a learning tool for the child. If the child has done something wrong, she will more than likely blame the friend. When this happens, it should be explain why it was wrong. Then the child should be the one who explain to the friend that what she did was wrong and if this behavior continues they well not be allowed visit any more. Have the child to inform, Brenda that bad manners will not be allowed at your home and that if Brenda behaves badly again she will be the one in trouble. The child will try her best not to see you get rid of Brenda.

As I stated before imaginary friends are the mine at work and a good imaginary friend can lead to the building of a better plane, a world famous doctor or just a plain old fashion good parent. My outlook on things is that deep down inside I am always right and if I am arguing with my imaginary friend, I will want to make sure I know why I am right, so, when my mine says do it this way I already know why this way will not work.

When a child has fear and loneliness, the imaginary friend is our mines making us brave. Some children are afraid of the dark and the imaginary friend is who sleep with him and make the dark safe. Some children are afraid of the thunder and the imaginary friend is who keeps our mine off the noise. Sometimes the friend is afraid too, but that is okay because we are afraid together.

Imaginary friends are our mines teaching us, loving us, and keeping us safe.

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