Children's imagination seems to have no boundaries and does not cease to amaze. So, some children have imaginary friends. Strange behavior often frightens parents and causes them anxiety. What is it, an innocent child's play or a mental disorder?
Inclination to fictitious friends is called Carlson's syndrome, when a child creates in his head a certain image, an illusion, and believes in its existence. Usually this condition is observed in children in 3-5 years. At a more conscious age, few people resort to such communication. However, do not forget this.
Most often, the source of this situation is the existing emotional problems. And in most cases, children are thinking how to make an imaginary friend from loneliness, misunderstanding or lack of full contact with peers. For example, a child often remains alone at home when parents are at work, and children with whom you can play in the yard are not present or with them there are conflicts. While an invented friend always "listens and understands" and, unlike others, will always be friendly and easy to get along with.
Sometimes a child starts a friend who has been invented to avoid responsibility and feelings of guilt for another prank. After all, to say that it was not you who did it, it's the easiest to blame. So he tries to protect himself from punishment.
Is there any cause for concern?
How can parents act in such cases? The main thing is not to go on about the child, but not to ignore the situation. Find a compromise. Ask questions about this friend. Listen to the story of the baby, give in a little, having fulfilled any request for a friend. Do not mock the child at all, so he will go deeper into his inner world. But at the same time, do not give up on the tasks you set for the child and the remarks made.
If the parents of the child are very strict, then a fictitious friend can become the one who accepts the baby as he is, always him
If a child misses old friends because of moving, help him find new ones, give the opportunity to see or keep in touch with past comrades.
And most importantly, give the child more time, walk in the park, do something together, take with them to various events, be interested in his life. Then, having spoken to you, he will not have a need to tell it to another.