A little girl says to her mother: “Mummy, when you were away at work a strange lady came around”… “Not now,” says Mummy. “Wait until Daddy gets home.” So they wait until Daddy gets home, and

The mother’s face softened as she realized the identity of the stranger. She exchanged a knowing glance with her husband, and a smile played on their lips. It was clear that the little girl had encountered an imaginary friend created by her longing for her working mother’s presence during the day.

Instead of dismissing the story, the parents decided to turn it into an opportunity for connection. They asked their daughter more questions about the mysterious visitor, encouraging her to share details about the sparkly dress, shiny shoes, and the contents of the imaginary bag.

In the process, the parents discovered the depth of their daughter’s creativity and her ability to cope with the absence of her mother. The imaginary friend became a source of comfort, a playful companion woven from the fabric of the little girl’s imagination.