Imaginery friend for ds 5, what do I do?

[breeze]

I just wanted advice really as my ds 5, as he has started talking to and about his imaginery 'brother' he has given him a name and talks to him now and again, while I was in the bath this morning he bought his brother in as well and introduced us, I didn't know what to do, I dont know wether to ignore the friend, or talk to it, as I dont want to encourage it.

I know that its not uncommon for children to have them, just wanted some advice and insight as to why they have one.

TIA

Message withdrawn

we tpook dd1 imaginary friends on holiday with us last year. i got told off for shutting the door on 'chloes' leg. me and dh couldnt belive it.

Dd1 had a whole host of imaginary friends, Sophie and Gavin being the favourites. We just used to treat them as we treated dd's stories about her soft toys. Mind you, I did used to feel a bit of a charlie, holding open shop doors so all these folk could pass through! Gavin eventually got thrown off Hadrian's Wall by an exasperated ds1, so that was the end of him. Dd is now 17 and oddly enough is friends with a lovely boy called Gavin - she reckons it's imaginary Gavin come to life!

I was once somebody's imaginary friend, does that count?

My daughter has invented (well I hope) an imaginary Grandpa who comes down the chimney when we are not there and swirls round the ceiling. He's called Grandpa bowls. It sent shivers down my spine and bought the exorcist to mind. I dont know how she came up with Grandpa Bowls,luckily he doesnt visit too often and she seems undisturbed by it unlike her poor quivering parents.

i havent read the whole of this thread im afraid....and im just off to bed
but your post reminded me of the little boy i nanny-ed in 1991 ish.he had a couple of imaginary friends that were invoved witha lot of our little games and activities etc...i didnt give them much thought at the time.

however he rang me during the week and we had a wonderful conversation and he has turned into [?]a really lovely creative talented opinionated all round good guy!!
dont suppose that helps much ,i suppose i just associate imaginary friends with good things.

Don't know why I'm up so late reading this thread either, but was drawn to it as ds (4.75) now has imaginary friends for the first time. They are Dash and Violet from The Incredibles (although, as he is still struggling with pronunciation, he calls them "Da" and "Biolet". ). They aren't around all the time, but usually appear for breakfast and when shopping in Tescos!