A mum claims to have been left creeped out by her son's imaginary friend who 'wants feeding at dinner'. The parent is concerned her only child's creation is getting 'extreme', reports Hull Live.
She took to social media to explain that her kid was getting obsessed with their made-up friend as they are lonely due to having no siblings. Posting on Mumsnet, she claims she has to tuck the imaginary friend into bed every night as well as feed him.
The mother said: "My child has an imaginary friend-they are an only child – our choice – so I guess it maybe fills the gap where a sibling might have been. I wouldn't be worried about this but it is getting quite extreme, we have to feed this 'child' at every meal, and tuck it into bed.
"Our child chats all the time to him and can describe him totally, it really as if he exists. We have been told he is not imaginary, just 'see through' – shudder!"
She asked other parents: "Have your kids ever had them and have you ever wondered if they are imaginary at all?!"
The mother's parenting problems sparked conversation online and it wasn't long until other users came in with their experiences and opinions. Many people saw no issue with the child having an imaginary friend and shared stories of their imaginary friends.
One person said: "This was me as a child! I was also an only child, with very little family at all, (literally just my mum, and I was bullied at school so had no friends.)
"My imaginary friend was called Alfie. For me personally I think Alfie was born out of loneliness, although I’m not saying that’s the case for your child at all."
Another added. "I had an imaginary friend when I was two. Not sure it’s connected to being an only child as I had an older sister and we were joined at the hip, (she didn’t have one), so I think it’s more when the child has a big imagination, to be honest.
"Saying that, my sister probably started school around that time so maybe it was connected to feeling lonely. Either way, I can’t see there’s much you can do about it."
Meanwhile, other people reassured the mother about the situation. One person said: "My daughter has one called Mia.
"Sometimes when we go to get in the car she waits for Mia to get in first. She sits there 'holding her hand' and sometimes on the walk to preschool she'll hold her hand.
"I think it's a way of expressing her feelings personally. Mia appeared when I was pregnant and she started preschool a few months after.
"It's a big change and I think it's her little friend to go through things with her."
Another added: "So how do we really know if it's a spirit or imagination?" "Well, we don't!
"I honestly would take a step back and try and relax through it. Be totally supportive of your child and his friend.
"He obviously means a lot to him. Don't be concerned that it fills a void for absent siblings, your child wouldn't miss what he doesn't know."
A third stated: "His little friend is someone that belongs to just him! There to play whenever he wants!
"This is great to practice social skills and play. Also someone to support him and not judge.
"You also get to see a lot more of what goes on inside your child's mind that other parents wouldn't without that imaginary friend."
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