AITA? I Stopped communicating with my spouse
Hello fellow potatoes,
I (34f) have been with my long-term partner (45m) for 13 years next month. For context, we got together while I was 3 months pregnant with my first son at 21. He was 32 at the time, with 3 kids of his own. It was never easy for us. His BM was an addict and created chaos for us and the kids. But we always made it work, always did what was best for all of the children. During all of this, I did my best to be the mom each one of our kids needed. So, for years I did all the parental tasks, such as doctor/dentist appointments, school registrations and events. Literally everything. This played a toll on me, but that wasn't the worst part.
My SO can be a very mean man. Over the years he has called me out my name for so many trivial things. For example, the most recent one was about politics. Our views are not aligned. So, because I don't agree with him, he called me ignorant. Which I took offense too because it is just politics. And honestly, not worth name calling. I understand, this is not really that bad. But for the one person that is supposed to make me feel safe, he seems to create the opposite.
Another example of this was when I was busy with the kids. Because that day, after doctor appointments for the kids and work. He was mad because I couldn't help with repairing our countertop in the kitchen. I couldn't help because I still needed to go to the pharmacy to pick up medicine. Well because of this I was worthless to him. To keep it short, he has called me anything you can think of. Some of the most hurtful things anyone has said to me, from selfish, stupid, Witch with a B, or how I am a bad mother etc... Literally everything.
I am at the point that I do not feel safe even expressing my feelings. Because when I tell him I how I feel. He takes it as a direct attack on him and will then make it his mission to make me feel as small as a grain of rice. He attacks my character and my state of mind.
So, at this point. He is upset with me because I refuse to express my feelings or have opinions on things. He says I shut down. Which is 100% accurate. So AITA for not opening up to my SO anymore?
Posted Mar 6, 2026, 9:54 PM UTC