Naughty imaginary friend.

[pinkdolly]

My dd2 is 3, she has had an imaginery friend 'Abbo' now for some time.
Abbo can be quite naughty and seems to like doing the things that dd2 is not allowed to do (for instance, saying naughty words). She will also hit and push dd2.

I have sent Abbo to the naughty step, I have rang her mum (dd2 has invented an entire family for her) and I have sent her home.

DD2 got very upset this morning because I told her off for repeating something that Abbo had said for the second/third time this morning.

My problem is that my dd2's imagination is just fantastic. She comes up with all sorts of things, makes and re-sings her own songs, is a brilliant actress/drama queen, I dont want to stiffle that. But am worried that Abbo's naughtiness could get worse.

Have your children had naughty imaginary friends?, How have you handled this?

Dh is a bit worried about a drop dead fred situation. lol

What are your thoughts?

[FrannyandZooey]

My son's imaginary friend got eaten by a pig last year. Make the most of Abbo, as I quite miss Von.

It sounds to me (just pure amateur psychology and possibly crap) that your dd needs to be allowed to be a little bit more 'naughty' than she is at the moment. She wants to please you and to be a good girl, but the need to experiment and rebel is also very strong, and so she has developed Abbo who allows her to explore badness while still being your good little girl.

I don't know if this is near the mark? Can you think of other ways she could be allowed to be 'naughty' if she wants to?

[pinkdolly]

thankyou franny,

dd2 is somewhat a mischievious child at times. I have to admit there are times that I let her get away with (small) naughtiness just because it's so funny (she cracks me up).

Dh is very theatrical, has been in several shows and is also still a little boy at heart (always playing jokes and messing about). I believe she takes after him.

I tend to belive that you are right and she is trying to rebel and test bounderies a bit. But not sure if allowing her to get away with more then she already does is the answer (I am a bit of a softie at times). I think I would be afraid of her knowing that she can get away with being naughty and using it to her advantage.

[pinkdolly]

Lol at Von being eaten by a pig!