GM23, What you posted really resonated with me. My W is bipolar, and is in great need of learning from life experience. I believe she has done so, and seems to be needing our S (and possible D) to stand on her own again.
If anything, the "Mr Fix-it", helpful, stable-male behaviors can be seen as negative, controlling, and stifling (from her perspective).
Hard to balance the natural loving concern with the requested need to have space to learn and grow (and make mistakes).
