Hi Mary - what an honest post and what kind replies. To me, Camino is a solitary thing, in the sense of walking alone, which gives one the opportunity to meet new people, move at your own pace, eat when you want, stop when you want, which leads to having unexpected experiences.
You are evaluating rather than dropping out and I think that this is a good thing. From this distance it seems to me that there are two things that you can/should do. The first is to gently and politely drop your walking partner - sounds like you are being a mother! - and walk alone, at your own pace, making your own decisions.
The second is a bit more tricky .... many pilgrims are on a mission of some sort .. to get to st James and pray, to receive the Compostela, to shed demons, to work out what to do about an empty life at home, to go deep into a tragic loss ... so many reasons .. but if one doesn't have a mission of some sort then it can indeed become meaningless ... so could I suggest ... separate and walk alone and create a mission - walk for others, think of others, look at the pilgrims you meet and see if any are hurting - physically or emotionally - and if so, try and help them. Just a thought.
The prime thing though, is to alter your Camino and walk alone .. walking with a friend it is all about what Steve did in the office, who is pregnant, what colour you will paint the sitting room, which means that the pilgrim isn't 'there' but still at home.
and create a mission - the Buddha once said
"Pursuit of personal happiness - result, misery.
Pursuit of happiness for others - result, happiness".
Mary - what you may not realise yet is that this is a life crisis that you are having on Camino, a Camino pilgrim experience - ask what the message is .. you may find it is telling you that it is time to drop being the mum (to your friend) and start being the pilgrim.
I wish you well, and I think that all of us on here really want to know what happens next - so please do tell us!!
Buen Camino - and remember, All is Well xx