Having imaginary friends is perfectly normal for kids and there is no truth to the belief that kids who have imaginary friends are emotionally disturbed, lack the ability to distinguish fantasy from reality, or are suffering from a personality disorder. Your son's having an imaginary friend has not prevented his healthy social development or his healthy functioning in life. He continues to play happily with other children and has not withdrawn from life into a world of fantasy.

There are many reasons why children have imaginary friends. Beyond the obvious desire for companionship, kids may consciously and unconsciously use imaginary friends to deal with their emotions and to work through issues they are confronting. Despite parents worrying that it's wrong to encourage kids' to believe in a person that isn't real, all research in this area points to kids benefitting in their intellectual, social, emotional, and creative development as a result of their having had imaginary friends.

Be a part of this relationship with his imaginary friend as much as he wants you to, letting him know that you know this friend is pretend but not shaming him for having this relationship. As kids get older, they may not talk openly about their imaginary friends anymore, but that doesn't mean they don't still secretly have them. Imaginary friends disappear when they are no longer needed.

Let your friends and family know that you have been assured that these friends are perfectly normal and that they are part of your son's healthy imagination and overall development. Ask them not to make fun of your son because of his imaginary friends. They don't have to play along all the time, but they shouldn't attempt to embarrass him, as this would be unnecessarily hurtful.