Too close is a relationship in which neither child nor parent seek outside company. Parent uses child to fill a void and does not want the child to seek outside relationships even into adulthood. I have an Aunt that was that way, saw her children's spouses as rivals for her child's attention. She expected to be first in her child's affection and said so on a regular basis, even above their own children. Her husband's parents died shortly after they married; she created a tale of horror (completely untrue) about her own parents and family so that her kids were never really close to anyone but her growing up.

I haven't spoken to Kelly directly in quite a while, but she is very sweet, friendly and scarey smart. Which tells me she can and does seek relationships outside of her immediate circle. That tells me that her parents have given her a strong foundation of both roots and wings.

So Kelly, the next time someone makes a comment like "what does she want" feel sorry for them because in their own experience their children are only affectionate for a reason, feel sorrier for their children.