A recurring dynamic when extended families are blended is that a divorced spouse may maintain closer emotional ties with children of a prior marriage than with an adult partner in a current relationship.

The dynamic sometimes starts when the first family falls apart. Children whose parental duo falls apart may attempt role reversal, trying to parent one or the other of their parents. As these children age into their adult years, they may turn the parent-to-my(mommy/daddy) into spouse to my (mommy/daddy). As such they may create tenuous intimacy with the parent, while using that access to encourage the parent to forsake or marginalize their more proper adult relationships.

These aren't intimate bonds in the physical sense. The dynamic involves social and personal roles that otherwise form the substance of personal intimacy.

Have others had this experience? Encountered this dynamic?

Does your spouse spend more time talking with adult children than with you? Are some topics - especially about emotions, feelings or relationships -- off limits between you and your spouse, while such topics are daily fodder for conversation between your spouse and stepkids?