Help! Split personality in 2 1/2 year old?

[Kokapetl]

For a few months, since around the time his sister was born, my son has occasionally been saying "I'm not called Sam, I'm called Alfie". I've finally worked out that he is only Alfie when he's upset with us or we are with him. When he is Alfie he says "I'm a naughty boy" and "I want Mummy to be cross and sad" and sometimes "I want

[EcclefechanTart]

I'm no expert but I think it sounds pretty normal to me. I've heard lots of small children blame misdemeanours on imaginary other people and I think this is similar.

[Kokapetl]

Thanks, it's a relief that you think that. My Mum thought so too. it just seemed so odd!

[Quodlibet]

Clearly it's just a way of him processing difficult feelings generated by his new sibling. He doesn't want to make mummy cross/make baby cry but his feelings are driving him to do it, so he's created a naughty alter ego so that he can keep Sam as a good boy.

I reckon if you do what you can to help him come to terms with the difficult feelings and make an effort to give him attention and praise it'll eventually wear off.