My DS has developed an Altered Ego

[Wonderwoman]

Alarming, scary, inventive, weird - all fellings that have caroused through me when my 5 year old DS refers to his alter ego. Just to clarify, my DS has created Good Namesake and Bad Namesake to justify his actions (usually bad actions I must confess!) e.g. 'Bad Namesake made me do it, but went away when mum came and left Good Namesake to get in trouble.' Has anyone else experienced this and if so, how did you handle it?

Yep!

My DD used to do it - if she was being very naughty, got disciplined then came back wanting to make amends she'd say "mammy it wasnt me it was badme - badme has gone now so it will be ok"

I used it to my advantage sometimes for example when we were about to enter a supermarket id say shall we throw badme away before we go in here and she would as if she was pulling the "bad" one out of her mouth then put it in the bin!

We've had this as well, Good X and Bad X. Very convenient to blame it on someone else, lol!