I have found that there are various ways in which retirees stay in touch with their children, and grandchildren. Many are “snowbirds” who leave Florida in the tropical heat of the summer and travel back to the cities where they came from and where they still maintain a house or an apartment. Some go back and stay the summer at the homes of their children; others rent a place to be near them. Still others go to North Carolina or the Catskills for the summer. If a retiree cannot do any of those things because of financial or medical reasons, there is always the phone—or email, which I find of greater use than the phone. I’m not a phone person; I prefer to write. Of course in this day and 
age there is also “instant messaging” which works almost like a telephone call. However, IM is a device which is most used by teenagers and the “Baby Boomer” generation, I am sure, not so much by seniors. But many seniors do love computers and do become very proficient in their use. We even have a computer club in our condo clubhouse.
Let it be known by those not of retirement age, that trying to keep in touch with children who long ago left the nest is a major part of the retirement process, and doing so is not the easiest of endeavors. Although one may wish that an offspring would “call more often” or visit more often it is not in the best interest of the relationship to make such a request. The line, “Why don’t you call me more often; I never hear from you” is anathema, taboo, off limits! In other words, forget about it, and take whatever you get. What most retirees fail to allow for is that their “children” are immersed in earning a living while trying to raise their own families. So, if one gets a call only now and then, be satisfied—and patient and be comfortable with the idea of “that’s just the way it is”.
age there is also “instant messaging” which works almost like a telephone call. However, IM is a device which is most used by teenagers and the “Baby Boomer” generation, I am sure, not so much by seniors. But many seniors do love computers and do become very proficient in their use. We even have a computer club in our condo clubhouse.Let it be known by those not of retirement age, that trying to keep in touch with children who long ago left the nest is a major part of the retirement process, and doing so is not the easiest of endeavors. Although one may wish that an offspring would “call more often” or visit more often it is not in the best interest of the relationship to make such a request. The line, “Why don’t you call me more often; I never hear from you” is anathema, taboo, off limits! In other words, forget about it, and take whatever you get. What most retirees fail to allow for is that their “children” are immersed in earning a living while trying to raise their own families. So, if one gets a call only now and then, be satisfied—and patient and be comfortable with the idea of “that’s just the way it is”.
1 comment:
For your edification, those who go to North Carolina for the summer are not called snow birds, sun birds, or any other kind of bird. We have the destinction of having the dubious title of "Half Backs" because we are going half way back to our roots. Those who go to the Catskills are simply going to the mountings fer der summer. You know you can always come for a visit.
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