This weekend we went on a family camping outing. DH, myself DD11, SD12 and DS13. Several times throught the weekend I felt weird about DH and SD's interactions but I'm having trouble putting my finger on why. I felt excluded, but not exactly so. It seems like she likes to play the role of spouse but I can't really express why exactly that her actions make me feel that way.

Once we came back from a walk and the kids were obviously at odds about something. They must have had a tiff and all were separately pouting. DH immediately launches in an attempt to coaxes SD out of her poutyness and then starts a game that only her and he could play. I just let my kids be for a while and they got over it. I asked what was wrong, they expressed what had happened and moved on. No parental intervention necessary.

Then we had some of my family join us for dinner and campfire. We all went on a walk after dinner except DH and SD. I think DH held back because SD didn't want to go because she doesn't do well with strangers (yes, even after 6 years my family is strangers to her????). So we come back to the two of them sitting next to each other at the fire. He moves to make room for everyone, she moves next to him. He gets up to get a drink, she follows. He goes to the bathroom, she needs to go to. In and of itself non of these things should be a problem. It's just that she is like glue to him and I feel like I have to battle to have a husband when she is around. I won't do that, she is a child. So that leaves me feeling excluded.

I think it feels wrong to me when he bends over backwards to smooth her ruffled feelings instead of helping her learn to cope in better ways.

I guess I want to discuss this with DH but I am hessitant to until I can specifically tell him what makes me feel this way. And I really don't know.

Any thoughts or insight would help.