[heartened]

My mother-in-law and stepfather-in-law say to each other, "I think I'll keep you for another week" when they are particularly pleased with something the other has done. They've said this for as long as I've known them. Before I knew it, my husband and I were saying it to each other too. We have the same kind of great, loving marriage that they do, so we all know it is an expression of love when it is said.

So no, it wouldn't bother "this" adoptee.

However, I can fully see where it might make another adoptee uncomfortable. Maybe it depends on whether or not the child feels secure in their family. Are there any reasons why the child would feel insecure in their position within the family? Probably not - so - it is unlikely something like this is going to be much of an issue, at least in my opinion.

I guess considering my abandonment/attachment/rejection issues, this "should" bother me, but for some reason it doesn't. Maybe because I'm secure in my relationship with my husband and have never been given a reason not to be. I know he loves me and that is just another way of showing it. I suspect the same is true for your daughter. She knows she is loved and wanted by the person saying it.