<p>Youngest S, a soph, calls almost daily while walking to or from classes just to chat. When the older 2 were in school they each called about 2-3 a week. Now that they’ve graduated and are on their own they call 1-2 times a week They are all good at sending and answering texts and we will often all text back and forth while watching the same sporting event. The kids grew up seeing me call my parents and sisters almost daily, so this pattern just seemed natural to them. I feel very fortunate that communication is one area that hasn’t been an issue.</p>
<p>We have mandatory weekend phone call. S1 has called consistently every Sunday going on 5 years now. Little bro not as dependable yet in his first semester away, but is getting better. Is pretty humorous when one calls the cellphone and the other calls the house phone at same time. Like minds…</p>
<p>Neither of my S’s are on any kind of schedule. S1 calls more often (every ten days or so)than S2 but S2 is better at returning emails and will generally pick up when I call him.</p>
<p>With all 3 D’s in school, they each have a different night (of their choosing) to call me as it’s usually a long chat. If anything comes up any other time during the week, they will email or send a text.<br>
When S went away to school, he communicated very rarely even though I requested a brief weekly call. So one Friday morning, after about 3 weeks in which I had phoned him, emailed him, texted him, and sent snail mail- all with no response, I hopped in the car and drove to his school 180 miles away. I was there early enough that I knew I would catch him leaving for class so I waited in the lobby. To say he was surprised would be putting it mildly. I assured him that since I was a SAHM at the time, I would be able to drive down to see him any time I felt it had been too long since he got in contact with me. He did start calling weekly.</p>
<p>Hoosiermom… that is hysterical. Not sure how my son would react if I showed up in the lobby, and maybe this is because I’d have to fly and rent a car to do so!! Still… I would consider it. He is definitely treading on thinner ice than usual. But tomorrow is Thursday and so … we’ll see. :)</p>
<p>My D has always been good about checking in with me, but she also knows me well enough to know that when I say “don’t make me find you” I mean it.</p>
<p>Talked with D1 every day until this year…senior year. Now just a few times a week. Talk or text with freshman D2 (mainly text) every day.</p>
<p>ONLY when he has needed information about laundry. Surprising about 3 times already this year. Will answer a text. Does not answer emails.</p>
<p>Once a week, give or take a week But I get lucky once in a while and catch him on Facebook for a short chat.</p>
<p>We hear from our son by phone maybe twice a month, if that. Email about the same. But none of us are really phone people, I have to admit. Our kids grew up learning that the machine answers the phone, not us. He’s away for his sophomore year now. We were in more contact at this point in his freshman year, but it was never anything like every day, not even every week.</p>
<p>I talk and/or email my daughter more often. Probably do one or the other 4 times a week or so, but more email than phone. Usually I initiate the calls, she initiates the emails. This is her first year away from home, though. I expect it will drop off some by next year.</p>
<p>Daughter, at least, we’ll see a bit more often because she’s just a 3 hour drive away. Son is clear across the country and we only see him at Christmas and summer.</p>
<p>Almost every day-- when walking between classes, when totally stressed, when someone has said something upsetting. I hear from less when kiddo isn’t feeling well.</p>
<p>Normally every day. There was a time where DS failed to call - became worried - second day, still nothing- starting to panic - third day, nada - almost dropped every one of his classes – end of third day and he finally calls. And boy did I let him have it. After our next visit hubs brought home a nice souvenier – DS’s ipod. Told him more will follow us home if this happens again. Since then the routine hasn’t broken – even received multiple calls between classes!</p>
<p>Calls - never, I call him. Quick one or two texts almost everyday. He does call his Grandparents about every two weeks though without me having to tell him :).</p>
<p>The first week D was away, I didn’t hear from her at all and was braced for never hearing from her…turned out she had misplaced her cell phone (which was silenced) and couldn’t find it. After she cleaned her room, she called like she had never talked to me in months! Now, I hear from her every day as she traipses from class to class, or is waiting for something…rarely after 5. But, I talk to my mom and sister every day, so it was odd not talking. D also calls younger sister or texts every day. And H about once a week.</p>
<p>This thread seems to confirm what many other CC threads of the past on the same topic have shown. Girls are waaay more interested in talking to Mom than boys are.</p>
<p>Before a child leaves for college, I always recommend a family pow-wow to discuss communications expectations. I don’t mean that hard-and-fast ground rules must be determined. But it can be helpful for all concerned to air what they expect. This, of course, can change, once the student gets to college. But, even so, it can be helpful from the get-go for mom it admit that she’s anticipating contact several times each week while Junior may believe that once/week is a lot. Also, it’s helpful to discuss what constitutes “contact.” A phone call? A newsy e-mail message? a 6-character text (in code that Mom and Dad can barely decipher?)</p>
<p>Yes, Packmom-- I also think girls just talk on the phone more, to parents or whoever. Though that is a grand, sweeping generalization based on the fact that I talk to my brother once a week, never see H on the phone, and talk to SIL, Mom, S and D nearly every day. It must be hard to not hear from the sons. :(</p>
<p>About once a week. If a week goes by and I don’t hear from him, I’ll give him a call just to touch base and say hi.</p>
<p>D calls every day. This was requested by H who is still nervous about her being in the city and says he wants to “know if she’s alive”. (is someone watching too much "Law & Order?).</p>
<p>I enjoy hearing from her, but would also be fine with hearing a little less often.</p>
<p>
What a wonderful keepsake those letters will be for your s1 one day!</p>
<p>We expect a phone call once a week.</p>