<p>I guess part of this has to do with the ease of communications. With cell phones, kids can effortlessly call when the urge strikes: no need to go to the dorm room or find a phone booth (where did they all go anway?) </p>
<p>Anyone old enough to remember the term “long-distance” phone call and how it was quickly equated with $$$$. With anytime, anywhere minutes, it’s a different world.</p>
<p>My S is in his third week as a freshman and he called us 5 or 6 times a day for the first week – since then, once or twice a day. As he gets more comfortable there, he calls less. Sometimes it is just a little question, like “do dryer sheets go in the dryer, or the washing machine?” He seems happy, even though he is a little homesick. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for starting this thread, mchs, since I’ve been wondering the same thing, and the replies so far have been pretty encouraging. D never called from summer sessions at colleges, which she always loved, so I figured the absence of calls would be good news. But the only time I panicked was the very first call–she had marched all over campus for 5 hours in the heat, had gotten a heat rash, and wanted to come home. When we didn’t hear from her the next day, we called, and all was well, the rash was gone, gotta go…Since then all calls have been fairly upbeat and she seems to be adjusting better than I expected. I’ll enjoy it as long as it lasts!</p>
<p>My S1 is one of those males that rarely calls. Most of the time it’s for a reason…I need money, my truck broke down, I’m coming home next weekend.
Other than those times he usually starts off the obligatory call with…just thought I’d let you know I’m still breathing. He’s a junior this year but it has always been that way. I haven’t heard from him in a week at this point. He’s got a busy life at school and has never been one for chitchat on the phone.
He really is a very personable young man…just not on the telephone (and does not do IM or email).</p>
<p>My D called to find out how to use the filter thing for her water pitcher…and to thankm eof rthe coookies I sent…</p>
<p>She is more of a talker than her Sis…she always sounds so happy but busy when she calls, like she is grabbing a few minutes while walking…</p>
<p>DD has dropped off significantly this week,her 3rd week. I miss her more now that she is not either calling, texting or emailing everyday. My brain knows she is launching splendedly, the rest of me misses her. I agree it was like watching a toddler venture out further each time, returning to check before going out again. I still got one quick text yesterday with news of her first A, though. And we have an agreement that she will call at least once per week.</p>
<p>But we re settling into our new routine. Now if we could manage the dog we would have true freedom. :)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Old joke:
When does life begin?
Priest: At conception of course.
Minister: At quickening.
Rabbi: When the kids leave home and the dog dies.</p>
<p>Maybe she just likes the look of using the cell phone, lol. Back in my day there were no cell phones. We had pay phones. There was not much calling at all. :)</p>
<p>I, too, say rejoice. I have not heard from our number 1 since we dropped him off in mid-August 1200 miles away. He called me one time week one and I said “oh it’s so good to hear from you” to which S1 responded “well, you told me to call at the end of the week”… 16 year old,who can “see” his older brother’s Facebook page has informed H and I that #1 is indeed alive, well, happy, busy and has friends and also frequently leaves the IM message that he’s not available because he’s studying. S1 has been ready and willing to “leave home” since the last fall. There are days I would give anything to have had a daughter who wanted to call home.</p>
<p>just got a text telling me her “math prof is straight up insane”</p>
<p>aren’t they all?</p>
<p>S2 (who leaves for college in a few weeks) called my cell yesterday, only to then say he had dialed the wrong number ;-)</p>
<p>Wish I had the problem of too frequent calls. Not only is D2 a freshman, not calling me, but she’s not answering her phone or email either! D1 advises me to text her instead.</p>
<p>Ok, I am probably one of the fastest Blackberry typist, but it takes me 10 minutes to text, “Hi Honey, I luv u.” It’s just not nature.</p>
<p>2by2</p>
<p>How sad that your parents wouldn’t take your calls. I always love to hear from my son. He’s good about answering e-mails and seems fine with a weekly phone call. My friends with daughters seem to get LOTS more calls.</p>
<p>Reading some of these threads makes me wonder if my kids are “weird”. All three of them call every day or two. The oldest is 26, working, has own home, etc, but still calls several times a week just to say “hi” and see what’s going home at the home front. The two in college call most days just to check in and give any updates on their lives–granted if I check my phone times, most calls are under 5 min (how long it takes to walk to wherever they are going).</p>
<p>mkm56 - don’t think your kids are weird at all. i called my mom every day of my life until she died when I was 35 and now, 17 years later, I miss those calls dearly. My husband also called his mom on a regular basis. </p>
<p>btw: my daughter’s calls have fallen off to 2-3 times a day. I think she’s settling in, and very content, but i’m still prepared for a meltdown when the honeymoon ends.</p>
<p>Thanks, mchs. In fact I just got off the phone with my mom. I’m 51 and she’s 76 and we talk every day (granted when I was in college we didn’t do this–no cell phones and too expensive). I’m sure you do miss those conversations and sometimes when I feel that I’m too busy to call, I try to remind myself to cherish these times because they will end all too soon. I would give anything to be able to talk with my father who died when I was 30.</p>
<p>I do love hearing from the kids (especially when they are happy and not relating a problem). My h. isn’t big on talking on the phone so the kids usually just call me on my cell–he misses out on a lot.</p>
<p>no, mkm, nothing weird with you or your kids. You’ll never wish you’d spent less time with your mom or your kids or that you could afford a bigger stone in the cemetary. Be here now.</p>
<p>mkm56 - I was glad to read your posts. I too am 51, but my mother is 89!! She was 38 when she had me and 40 when she had my sister. Sounds more like the mothers of today instead of 1956 and 1958! I do not call her every day (I call a couple of times a week at most), but should. I get caught up in getting this done or that done, but vow to try and change that starting today! </p>
<p>Yesterday is the first day since younger D moved to college that we didn’t talk to her : (. She called early as she was going to attend a function the school was sponsoring : ), and neither of us were home. Don’t know why she didn’t just call on our cellphones!! She sent an e-mail and said she would call today. </p>
<p>My husband laments, “Do you notice, the girls always call your cellphone”. This happens even when they know we are together. I tell him that it is just habit, as he was always busy at work when they were growing up and they knew I was home. I may have to “pass them a note” telling them to call him on his phone sometime - he would be thrilled!</p>
<p>I too call my 80 year old mother every morning. Just a 10 minute talk to tell each other what the day has planned for us. Why wouldn’t I do this? No cost for the call and it’s so nice to check in.</p>