This article will be published in 2 categories - myths and truths.  It is completely dependent on the child whether they will have an imaginary friend or not.  Some singletons have imaginary friends and some children with siblings have imaginary friends.  I have a girlfriend whose 3-year old daughter has an entire imaginary family, mother, father and siblings.  AND, she has a real brother too!

My son has an imaginary friend named Gang-gang.  I have no problem with Joshua inventing a playmate, but I do have a problem with him using Gang-gang as his scapegoat.  Here are some recent examples: “Gang-gang told me to say bad words”, “Gang-gang told me to pee on the floor”, etc.  It reminds me of the Family Circle cartoon from many years ago that showed a broken lamp and all the children answering “not me” to mom’s question of “who did it?”  Meanwhile a little ghost named “Not Me” is running away…

I called my best friend who has 3 children and asked her what to do.  Her response was simple (and effective).  Tell Joshua that if Gang-gang is going to continue living in your household, he would have to abide by the rules.  If he didn’t follow the rules, he would have to find another home.  I added that Joshua was responsible for his actions and if he did something at Gang-gang’s behest, he would be punished.  He listened very seriously to my speech nodding all along and I don’t expect any further problems.  My friend said, “Of course, you caught him at his game!”

In conclusion, imaginary friends are not necessarily an only-child phenomenon.  They can show up in both only-child and multi-child families.  In either case, they are a normal part of childhood development and nothing to worry about.  You just have to keep them under control! LOL : )