An imaginary friend can be a friend to back your child up

Back in the day, having an imaginary friend was seen as problematic. Today it is viewed as cute, an imaginative and creative part of normal development, says Gwen Loughman

Úna with mum Olga Wehrly. Úna’s imaginary friend Dilly appeared shortly after her parents started living apart.

Rosemary’s daughter had a good friend called Murray who took up residence in a crack in the concrete.

Unfortunately for Niamh’s friend Fenella, she met a gory end. Her heart burst when she got sick.