How often do you see members of your family?

codemonkey

I'm 33 and married. We have no children. We both work full-time and I commute so that's a couple of hours a day. I tend to not to get home until 8pm most weekdays so by the time I've eaten, that doesn't leave much time or energy for anything else.

My parents live about a 30 minute drive and we go out there every couple of weeks, although I speak to my parents on the phone a lot. I tend to only see my brothers and sisters and their children on my parents birthdays and holidays like mothers day and fathers day and at Christmas.

DH's parents live about 10 minutes away and we see them about as much as we see mine - Sunday dinners and so on.

I'd like to spend more time with my parents as they're getting on in years, but with only 2 days a week off when I need to cram the bulk of the housework, grocery shopping etc. in, I feel like I get little enough time to get everything done and relax without running around seeing various relatives.

System

I am the outcast of the family. Was banished more or less after I finished uni. Didn't speak to anyone for years (parents, sister or cousins). My parents approached me when they found out we were expecting our first baby. For the sake of my children having grandparents, I reluctantly agreed to be 'accepted' back into the family.

They have my son one day a week. I usually pick him up after work. It usually involves an awkward cup of tea drunk in silence and then 'oh it's getting late it will be his bedtime soon, see you next week' and then off until same time next week.

I don't see anyone else in the extended family but my cousins are all of very similar ages and all live in West London so see each other regularly and are more or less best friends.

no1catman

Grandparents passed away, likewise Parents Father last year, fortunately my Mother tries to keep in contact - but then I'm a Spiritualist!

Siblings - haven't seen for about eighteen months, I don't know what I'd do or say if I did bump into either of them!
I was on my own for about twenty years at my previous house - 4 -5 miles from my sister, she only visited twice! Moreover the last time was a case of 'we can't stop, got a wedding reception to go to' - it was my birthday - so five minutes and that was it.

It would be nice to have some family news, but we're happy.

Try and keep in touch with a couple of cousins, (though others haven't reciprocated), and an Aunt.
My Partner, talks to her Mother several times a week, and we visit her two or three times a year.

andygb

I am going to start contacting my dad and sister less from now on, because over the past six months, it has been obvious that they are not making any effort to reciprocate.
I used to phone every couple of days, and my sister would talk briefly, then say she would get my dad to phone me back - which never happened.
We used to visit them every couple of weeks, but they have not visited us in nearly four years.
It has now got to the stage where I do not think it is worth it any more.

onlyroz

My parents live a mile away and I see them once or twice a week. My brother lives about 50 miles away and I see him maybe every 2-3 months.

We haven't seen hubby's mum since his dad died. We meet up with his sister and her family once a year around Christmas.

System

27, living on own

Parents-two or three times a year, they come up at easter and my birthday, and i usually go back for christmas but i doubt i'll be able to this year
Siblings-maybe once a year, at xmas. Haven't seen my brother since last year, or either of my sisters.
Extended family-not seen anyone in years.

I only live about 45 mins away but its just a pain to go home. I can't just drop in. It's not like i have a room since i moved to uni I have to ask in advance and it depends if they have stuff on or not. Wanted to go back for my birthday but they said it'd be easier if they just came and saw me. I do miss them. But this has become the norm. I never really went home during holidays at uni cos i worked all the time, and then its just too much hassle for them for me to come back.

I do speak to my mum every few weeks. But not often enough.

Threebabes

My dad was about 6 month ago but he is coming over in a few weeks with my sister and her two for something to eat.

My inlaws over a year.

My BIL & SIL's on hubbys side over a year ago, and probably will never see them again (hopefully).

My sister a couple of weeks ago, Im working now so see her less but email and talk on the phone etc.

Do not see any uncles/aunts/cousins. Grandparents are all dead.

The only members of the family I couldnt not see are my kids who are all at home.

candygirl

I see my DD and Grandkids several times a week, Mum once or twice a week, and my Bro now n then.Have never really been in contact much with Cousins, but do chat now and then on fb.All Grandparents, and my Dad have died
I am glad we all live quite close to each other though, so we can help and support each other

sapphireeye

This thread has been interesting and shows how much it can vary from person to person so thank you for all your responses. My family isn't really that close and everyone seems to see each other out of necessity rather than because they really want to spend time with each other. The people that I want to spend time with an I miss when I don't see them, are my parents, my brothers, my boyfriend and my friends and they're the people that see me most, the others I suppose I just feel obliged to see because they're my family, but we don't have a lot in common or a lot to talk about really.

I just feel guilty that I don't see them as often as they want me too, but I also feel guilty because I feel like I should want to see them more than I do, but I just don't. Then again, when it comes to friendships I've always made it a habit to spend my time with people I actually like and not spend my time with people that I don't like just for the sake of it. So maybe the same applies to my family?

geoffky

Every day..I live by my parents and my wife's parents live a road away from them.