When I get texts from both my dad and my mom (my parents are divorced) within the same week asking me if I’m okay and, most importantly, still alive, I know that I’m failing as a daughter. The least I can do is keep them updated on whether or not I’m breathing. Not that it takes a lot to get one of these texts. Maybe two unreturned phone calls over the span of 2 or 3 days and then they don’t care if I have time to chat or not, they just want a sign of life.
My parents have never been overprotective. I know they worry about me living in a state all by myself more than they ever let me know, but they support my independence too. They’re totally cool as long as they think they know where I am, so when I fall off the grid, they start to worry.
I’m really very selfish with my time. When I’m not at work or school, it’s basically me time. It’s alarming how long I can go on my merry way without social interaction. I’m always surprised, then, when I get to talking and connecting with people to realize how much I enjoy it. Introversion is so much my default.
But, this isn’t really about me. For someone who is highly sensitive, I can be really obtuse about what people need from me. All my family really needs is my voice on the other end of the phone without them spending days trying to track me down. I don’t know why I struggle with something so simple, but this weekend I did my daughterly duty and picked up the phone to call both of them. I felt better for it.
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I’m the other way I talk to my Mum either actually on the phone or via text/email nearly everyday and then see her at least once a week – it’s weird when we dont have our random conversations.
Even though I live only about 15-20 minutes from my family, I rarely see them. After work, I just like to go home and relax, even though my parents house is on my way home. I really need to start thinking of how much they like to see me, though, rather than how much “me” time I’ll be getting.
I’m the same way with my time. I don’t like talking on the phone, but I try to visit my mom’s house once a week to see her.
Yeah, I get those phone calls from my parents, too. “We haven’t heard from you in a week! ARE YOU ALIVE?!?’
haha. Oops.
I have ‘Smooth Criminal’ stuck in my head now.
My parents are the same way. They freak out if they don’t hear from me. I guess the protectiveness never goes away, even though I’m almost 30.
I text my dad a dozen times a week. I see my mom on Sundays, though she calls me more often now that I don’t live at home. My relationship with my mom isn’t THE BEST. She gets on my nerves wicked easy, but I also know she worries. She IS and always has been the overprotective type, which is probably why I push away so much. But I know that if I’m not going to see her, I’ll call ahead of time. I’m bad at remembering to call her. But it’s so easy to talk to my dad. He pretty much always knows what I’m up to. He’s one of my best friends on the planet.
Maybe your parents should text. I think I speak to mine more now that they do.
I know what you mean, when I was living away my mom would call all the time and get mad for me not calling. It’s just hard.
Wish my mom would text, might make it easier!
Good for you! I have a hard time remember to stay in touch with everyone too, but I’m trying to get better. Facebook helps, and I try to text people more just to say hi and that I’m thinking of them.
I’m right there with you about the whole ‘me time’ thing. I can be a total loner and be absolutely ok with it. But when a friend comes around, I don’t shut up.
And Wow, your parents text message you? My parents don’t even bother. “Oh, yeah, there was some weird icon that popped up on my phone. That was a text?”