I think it will be fruitless to argue with him about this. He has been brainwashed by his parents, and you need to understand this. Anything that you say against them will only get his back up.
A lot of wives suffer from this here in Dubai, but it will only be a problem if you allow it to be.
Once your DH sees that you have full and total support and respect for his parents, he will start to respect you more.
Don't try to get him on your side or to say anything bad about the family, he will realise it in time.
Yes, the 'family' house will always be home to the men.........then all of a sudden, after about 15 years....he will love the home you share....and realise that his family are always moaning and you don't.
I understand where you are coming from. I am married to an Arab as well (he is a Gulf Arab) for about 13 years now. They are indeed attached to their families, some more than others. My husband for example is more independent and even though he is close to his mom and loves her dearly, he does not get attached to her like you are describing. Thankfully my mother in law is a great person too and she really likes me.
Maybe you need to sit down and talk to your husband. Plan some time together and go out together. As far as your Arabic goes if they said it once I would let it go, however if it is an everyday type of thing, where you are becoming butt of the jokes, then I would talk to the husband and explain the situation. Do you have any kids?
<em>edited by Pixie2011 on 14/11/2011</em>
I understand your point but from the examples you have given us it seems that you are blowing things out of proportion. He visits his family once a week for lunch and twice a week for 2 hours and you think this is a big deal? I personally like a man to respect and honor his family.
You said his parents are " wonderful. " If they were abusing you and he was not standing up for you then that is one matter. But MILs will be MILs and a few comments about your Arabic is just petty, you should let it go with a smile and be the better person. If she did something truly bad then that is something else.
You do however need to speak to your husband about how you want things to be done - i.e. a clearer routine and " family time " but do not make it about his family or his parents.
I am married to lovely man arabic national. He is a treasure - sweet, carrying, responsible, truthful.. Well i can go on forever, since i trully love my husband madly. We have been together for quite a while now - 6 years actully, out of wich we have been married for a year and a half.
We never had such an intesity in our relationship like now. Recenlty we moved to the house close to the in-laws (his parents) and now i feel that it became a big problem unforunately. I talways knew that the family bonding i arabic families are stronger then western are. But never could imaine how hurtfull it can be when your DH prioritising his parents over his wife. He never protected me with a word in front of them, when they start annoying about my arabic language level, he does not like to tell "no" to them in regards to anything at all. He is obliged to visit them twice a week for two hourse and we have to eat lunch there every friday. What really annoys me is that he does all this as his working obligations, but in our family he considers that nothing is ment to be as a rule or so. We do not have weekend family activity (cuz he likes to sleep till lunch and half da whould be gone by then), he hates eating at home in proper lunch and dinner timing (but at his parents house he always eats as per their timing without complain)
I can go on forever here, but i think it is quite obviouse what i mean.
I fight him now and then, but all the fights end up to : do not like it - leave - this is my family and that is it.
Anyone have been in this situation with Dh so attached to his parents? ( he even sometimes calls his parents house - his home)
I do jot have anything against his parents overall - they are wonderful people, but how he behaves - is so hurtful -((
Oh and one more thing - he works for his dad and he does not have any decision making power at his parents house and unfortunately being really mistreated by them sometimes -((( what makes me even more sad -((