Conflicted Care and Play

I’m a doctor, mid-thirties, married for five years. My wife is eight years younger than me, and we’ve always had an open relationship when it comes to kinks. She’s the one who brought up age-play several months ago, something I wasn’t expecting but became quite intrigued by as we talked more about it. We started slow with just a few sessions where she’d play-act as my caregiver, me as her little brother needing guidance and attention. It was fun for both of us, really rekindled our bond in an unexpected way. But then I began wanting more, to take on the role of being cared for more often, not just during those specific scenes. It wasn’t long before I found myself slipping into it more regularly. I started seeking comfort from her like a child would, asking her to tuck me in at night with stories and cuddles, or calling out to her when stressed instead of reaching for my usual coping mechanisms. It was frustrating for both of us because she’s still my equal partner, yet the dynamic between us shifted. We’ve had some heated discussions about it. She wants clarity on whether I’m just role-playing or if I truly want to live a more submissive lifestyle outside these sessions. I don’t have an answer, sometimes I enjoy being her little one, and other times I crave control as the caregiver. It’s confusing but thrilling. I need to figure this out soon before it starts affecting our real-life dynamics too much. We’re both consenting adults playing a game of pretend, but there’s no denying the emotional pull that comes with it. For now, we’re taking things one day at a time.