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My 7-year-old daughter recently revealed to me that, for years, she had an imaginary friend: a bunny named Bebe. Apparently, Bebe returned to the make-believe world shortly after my daughter entered kindergarten, but she still remembers her fondly. Whether the special bond she had with her made-up bunny is true or not (my kid has been known to tell a tall tale or two), I'll probably never really know, but the concept tracks with the creative, imaginative girl of mine I know, love, and am often surprised by.
Imaginary friends might seem silly and even a little embarrassing if they regularly make appearances in public, but they're more common than you might realize. Research from the University of Oregon has shown that more than half of kids will have an imaginary friend at some point in their lives. They're also definitely more positive than the reputation they've received. If your child has announced that their new best friend is the kind that only they can see, here's what you need to know.
Imaginary friends might seem silly and even a little embarrassing if they regularly make appearances in public, but they're more common than you might realize. Research from the University of Oregon has shown that more than half of kids will have an imaginary friend at some point in their lives. They're also definitely more positive than the reputation they've received. If your child has announced that their new best friend is the kind that only they can see, here's what you need to know.
Imaginary Friends Are Supercommon
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Why Do Kids Invent Imaginary Friends?
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Should Parents Be Worried About Imaginary Friends?
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How Should Parents Respond to Imaginary Friends?
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While the general rule of thumb is to accept your child's imaginary companion and incorporate them into your family life, it's fine to challenge your kid if their friend becomes disruptive (i.e. demanding to sit in their sister's car seat or order their own pricey meal at a restaurant) or if they're using their faux friend to take the blame for their own actions. No matter who made the mess, your child is still responsible for helping to clean it up.
How Long Should an Invisible Friend Last?
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