DD has three daughters, ages 5, 3, and 1. The middle child is very sensitive - for example, if you say "Wait a moment, don't go outside without me" as she goes outside, she's likely to cry because she thinks she was yelled at. She's also become strongly vocal about her feelings. Combine these traits with a new imaginary friend and I think my DD may soon lose her mind.
Granddaughter is refusing to sleep in her bed because of the imaginary friend. She describes him as a man and uses the name of an animal character she's familiar with (we'll call him Z). She says that Z sits on her bed and she'll say things like "Go away, Z!" to the space. DD has become convinced that this is a spirit in her home. She called her pediatrician for child development help, and was advised to call in a medium! Apparently this is what the doctor did when her own child had a scary imaginary friend.
DD is now talking about Z all the time in front of and with my granddaughter. She's questioning her about what he looks like, where he is, etc. I feel that this is making the situation worse. Granddaughter is beginning to be rude (quietly telling people to shut up) and hit people, things she never did before.
AIBU in my advice to just tell the child she's safe and not give it much attention? Or is it wrong to not properly listen to the little one? I don't believe that there is a spirit in their house - I think that my granddaughter likely was exposed to something upsetting (another child mean to her, something in a video or on TV or perhaps she saw one of her father's video games) and because she's sensitive she's working through it by talking to Z. DD, meanwhile, is near tears by the sudden change in behavior and is afraid of spirits in her own home.
Please reassure me that I'm the sane one! Is a belief in spirits really so widespread that a pediatrician recommends a medium? I'd also really appreciate any personal experiences you've had with banishing imaginary friends.