Husband refuses to discuss wife’s questions about meeting his family

Dear Abby: My husband and I have been married for three years. He’s 26, and I’m 28. We have a good life, and he loves my 9-year-old daughter like his own child.

My husband is originally from Turkey and comes from a good family. However, I have yet to meet my in-laws. He avoids talking about my meeting them. I have talked to his younger sister and things are well and his family knows about us. But anytime I try to talk to him about money, meeting his family or starting a family, he refuses to discuss it.

I have spoken to him calmly and rationally. We have a lot in common, but anything stressful he avoids like the plague. If we get into an argument, he shuts down and walks out of the house. Recently, we got into a fight and he threw his phone at me because I shut our bedroom door. I don’t yell at him.

Every other subject we talk about — hobbies, music, dates, etc. — is fine, but the important ones are in the back of my mind constantly. He cooks, cleans, helps with anything I ask and is a great husband. Please give me some advice on what to do.

— Clueless In Iowa

Dear Clueless: That your husband refuses to discuss meeting his family, won’t talk about money with you, throws his phone at you when he’s angry and clams up when you try to talk about starting a family are serious red flags. Because you have established a relationship with his sister, start asking her why her brother behaves the way he does. You may have better luck getting answers from her.

From where I sit, your description of the man you’re living with seems more like a houseman than a husband. Counseling might help you to improve the level of communication in your marriage.