Last night my husband and I were discussing our kids and that we want them to stay close when they grow up. He said his parents raised him and his brother to be close and that was why his brother was more important than his wife (i.e. me). I was very upset but I stayed calm at the time and joked 'oh thanks very much.' However, all day, I have been thinking about it. We've been married fifteen years and have three kids, surely I should be more important than his brother??
I have had reason to doubt where I stand in the past. I find he is far too close to his parents and brother. They are always on the phone and he frequently texts them during the day.They also frequently visit (we live far away). Two months ago his parents and brother all came (his brother leaving his wife and son at home) and for two weeks I felt like a stranger in my own home. My husband took two days off work and they went off on day trips, pretending to invite me even though they knew I'd have to stay to pick up my kids from school.
They have made me hate Skype because they are always calling him on Skype in the evening. First his mother calls and stays for half an hour insisting on talking to the kids even though they were on their way to bed. Then ten minutes later his brother will call. It gets quite wearing, especially as my husband travels a lot and I feel we don't get enough family time anyway.
I have got used to how close my husband is to his family but I can't believe he could actually tell me to my face that his brother was more important than me. What does this say about our marriage?