I really don't know. I could ignore the ways he annoys me, stand up for myself when he abuses me and settle for a less than happy life with a man who is almost perfect for me. But, in order to keep the peace in my house, I basically have to treat him like another child of mine, a very young child mind you. That is true. If you can do this, more power to you.
Most women begin to get physically as well as mentally sick after a while.
As I write this, I see that the only way to have a happier life with him is to become MORE codependent and keep him happy. The never-ending cycle. That would make for a happier life with him, and a happier life for Cara in the short run, but definitely not a happy life for me. Now, I look 30 years in the future to Cara's life and the choices she has to make. It is likely.