For people who dont live at home anymore:how often do youhave contact with your parents and siblings?
92680
I talk to my parents a couple of times a month, visit them about once a month.  For my sister it varies, as little as once a month to as often as once a week or more.  Unfortunately I can't see her that much, since she lives on the other side of the country.
371952
i think it all depends on what you are like and who you are me personally... my parents and brothers dont know much compared to my best friends you know. i think depending on who you have a better relationship with. one of my ex' was super close to his mom so for him it would be his parents...
339667
Yes, I do. I get along with them really well. \nI live very far from my real family, and I honestly feel much closer to them than my real parents. And they treat me like I`m their daughter - I can call them up and talk to them any time. I`ve stayed at their house for weeks before when my husband was on business trips and I was lonely in the empty house. They`re great.
712670
I am the ONLY one of my immediate family (by that I mean of my brothers and my parents) who moved away. I had 3 brothers, but 2 of them have died by suicide, unfortunately. My parent are in their early 70's, and I don't know how much longer we will have them with us. While I have my own little family, (wonderful hubby, 2 grown daughters, even a granddaughter), at Holidays, my heart still goes "home" to where my parents are. It's for this exact reason that the traditional turkey with all the trimmings means so very much to me. It gives me the memories of the whole family, alive and well, gathered together around the table enjoying the festivities. My heart (and stomach) go home 1200 km away, for the Holidays.
175807
Oh, I really feel for you. It's very hard to face this sort of situation.  If you know where he lives, send him a letter telling him exactly what you have told us; that you love him and miss him dreadfully, that you miss his friendship and him being in your life.  You don't say how old you both are, but if he was quite young when this happened it may be that he is regretting his hot-headedness (you might find that out when you establish contact with him, but not initially), and he may later welcome the chance to get back in touch with the family through you.\n\nBut if you want to contact him, you need to make it plain that if he doesn't want contact with his parents, that's regrettable but perhaps understandable, but it isn't his relationship - or lack of it - with them that bothers you, it's the relationship between the pair of you that you want to heal.  However, you will also need to be very careful about your own relationship with your parents.  It could hurt them dreadfully if they find out that you have been in contact with your brother, and hurt people tend to lash out.  It may be that your brother felt very hurt if you seemed to take their 'side' rather than his in whatever happened when all you were trying to do was mediate, or just got caught in the crossfire, and he lashed out at you.\n\nJust spend some time putting your thoughts down on paper, don't condemn him in any way at all, and tell him you will always love and miss him.  I hope it all works out well for you.
1064126
I understand your problem and I think that no matter how much you talk to him thing are not going to change unless he wants too do it all on his own.  And since moving out isn't an option at the moment I suggest you find something to do with your time other than staying at home.  Like finding a job or going to school (assuming your not doing it already)  Going to the library or donating your time to charities.  Something you enjoy.  I know you love your family but YOU are 20 and you need to start making a life of your own Maybe when he sees what your doing he'll start appreciating you better.  As for your real dad start writing to him get that job and save up to go visit.  Where there is a will there is a way.  Good luck at what ever you do.
874647
YOU SEE I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ALSO, SO EVERY YEAR I ALWAYS GO TO MY PARENTS HOME, B/C SHE IS NOT VERY WELL, AND I GET A LOT OF OFFERS TO GO TO MANY OTHER PLACES, BUT I TELL THEM, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MY MOM HAS TO LIVE (WHICH BY THE WAY IS TRUE) SO MOST OF THEM UNDERSTANDING. I THINK YOU AND YOUR BROTHER SHOULD GO TO YOUR GRANDPARENTS FOR THANKSGIVING, B/C YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH TIME THEY HAVE TO LIVE ALSO, AND IT WOULD MAKE THE SO HAPPY TO SEE THE BOTH OF YOU. TALK IT OUT WITH YOUR BROTHER. GOOD LUCK, AND I HOPE WHERE EVER YOU GO, THAT YOU WILL HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
925858
I lived without my Father for about 23 years, he has recently just come back into my life, a little to late but we're good mates now and we talk on the phone once or twice a month, he still lives in another country.
57082
Wait a while.  When he's gone (out of the house)you'll end up with a lot more freedom as your parents relax.  Plus there'll be more allowance money for you!\nDon't hate on your older brother.  Be responsible and always come home on time.  Have responsible friends, then your parents will feel more comfortable and maybe extend your curfew.  Remeber, you won't be a kid forever, don't screw up your relationship with your parents by trying to act older than you are.
1054037
its hard, i know i am the oldest and i have one sister and one brother and we all have behavior problems. The best way to deal with it is to make up some time just for yourself. Since you live in tight quarters it doesn't have to be inside. ask your parents if you can take a walk every day like before or after dinner, even if its just around the block. it gives you some time with nobody else to sort stuff out in your brain. You also gets fresh air and its good for you. It sounds stupid but it really works trust me!
501200
My father worked away from home a lot and we managed fine.  They need to talk to him often.  Why not get Skype or the Yahoo equivalent so they can talk for free.  You could even get a webcam.  Keep your husband 'in the loop' don't make it so you make all the decisions about the children with out him.  Get the children to write and draw pictures for him and talk about him a lot.
178999
well, the fact that people want to reach out is wonderful... you're just saying that you want to know if the keyboard is better than the knock on the door.\n\nit depends on the circumstances.  for instance here on answers, you can reach out to total strangers with a fair sense of security to learn about them and their interests.  let's see you try THAT on the street.  i know it's expected here, but my point is that it's just another way to connect to humanity.  it's not sad, but just another possibility, much like the telephone, or the happenstance meeting at the post office in your hometown.\n\ninternet dating sites:  the time is past when they are stigmatized as tools of the desperate who cannot find anyone 'the regular way'.  similar to a park or a bar, an internet connection can be just as vivid, and leave a bit more mystery as well!  of course, common sense and safety are the keys here to an enjoyable 'connection'.\n\ni see your point in wondering if the human connection is lost by communicating via the net.  i used to tease my mother about e-mailing the lady who lived next door to her instead of going over to say hello... they did THAT too of course, but it seemed a stretch.  \n\nthe net is a great tool to keep connected with friends and family who are now distant.  it is also another medium to reach out to strangers and share ourselves... as much or as little as we like.  perhaps we DO exclude our hometown bothers and sisters a bit more than we once did... but are internet friends inherently inferior to real-life ones?  a healthy mix of both is my preferred way.
639150
If you and your hubby are young, like 18 or 19, his parents are still seeing him as a child.  But if he is older his parents need to stop.  I have similar situation.  I am 35 now.  I want to move to another city but can't yet.  I've learned not to tell my parents much about my personal life or my family's doings.  That why they can't meddle and "give advice".  I had to learn to distance myself.  It took about a year before my parents realized that I can live my own live well without but I that I still love them.  I suggest that you forget how they treat his brother, because that's their (the parents) problem.  Just focus on youselves and put a safe distance between yourself, don't talk as often or at least don't give out much personal info that will make them respond in a meddling way.  Good luck!
460939
I am the youngest of four, although 2 have since passed away. I was in a unique position because my parents were away from each other for many years. My oldest sister was 16 when I was born, my brother nearly 10, and my other sister almost 6. As a result, I didn't get to play with them as such, but they did become surrogate parents especially as my parents got older and less energetic. I was pretty well raised by them. My parents provided financial and physical support, but my siblings were the ones I went to with my problems. I don't think I grew up spoiled, I had to compete with nieces and nephews from an early age. As the youngest, the tables are turned now and my elderly parents need me. I still have the stamina I might not have had if I were older.
750900
my brother was over seas for a while, and i barely ever heard from him. it is hard for them to get to the phone, etc, they are so busy and focused on what they are doing. i would keep it up, you probably dont realize your emails are making his day. i would think you should keep it up.
799116
I still have a best friend and I am 33.  We met while doing PTA at school when our kids were younger.  We talk if not every day then every other day.  We are also in a couples poker group together with our spouses and our other "best" friends.  We jump from house to house once a month for this.  Sometimes we go shopping....our families go on a mini vacation together in the summers..... sometimes just the adults take a weekend.... we go to football games together......our kids all get along great and stick together.  I'd be lost without them!!!! (And I even have a big extended family on top of this - love this life!)
1042866
Joe, that was sort of the basis for my question about anyone having a "real" friend.  Seems the older we get, our "friend" connections come mostly from work or socializing with our children's friends parents or work.  It used to be that all your neighbors were your friends and you kept in touch with people for long amounts of time.  Not anymore.  Its a throw away society and I think that has spilled over onto personal relationships as well.  I have been housebound for several years now due to a slight handicap and have lost all my "friends" (most acquaintances from work).  It really is hard.  Hope that helps.  Barb