Context: My partner was in an accident about a week ago and ended up with a broken ankle and leg. We were sooo blessed to have a great medical team and quick surgery, we only spent two nights in the hospital and are now on the road to recovery.

We don’t live together, and currently we are both staying with his family so his mom and I can be there to help him since he can’t put weight on his leg at all and is on a pretty rigorous course of pain management medications (we are all tired due to waking up every few hours for meds). His mom is an angel (and an RN) but I can tell having her fuss over him on top of having me by his side constantly is starting to feel like a bit much for him.

I can’t imagine how it feels to be in that much pain physically or how mentally draining it must be to not be able to do anything on his own, and I assume it’s a little much to have both me and his mom around 24/7. I know he appreciates it (and he has told me this a bunch too!) but I can tell he is starting to feel smothered and I’m not sure what I can do. I’ve talked to him about it when I can, but there isn’t much that can change since he does need so much help at this point.

So, I come to the wise members of RPW seeking support, words of wisdom, encouragement, and any advice you can give as to how I can do what he needs without being overbearing or making him feel like my view of him has changed.