FWIW, I can totally relate to the parent/child dynamic. By the end of my nearly 20 year marriage, that's exactly how it was with me and my AH. It is kind of a chicken and egg thing, the more I treated him like a helpless child, the more he acted like one.
I have to agree with Cyranoak, though. It was very damaging to both of us. Not to mention, a terrible example of the marriage relationship to teach my children.
L