call my parents more often

I spoke to my parents for ages today and although it was as I expected (sister, baby, sister, baby…) I feel better for reaching out to my parents. If they enjoy talking about my sister and her baby, well then by listening I’m loving them in my own way. If only things were fine between my sister and I but I don’t think they will ever be.

For the past few months, I’ve been aiming to speak to my mother every weekend. She lives in a different country so it’s not always that convenient to call her (unless I’m at home and can use a cheap international rate but I’m often out and about at the weekends and on my mobile which is not cheap), but I feel guilty making her call me.

Also, my elder sister (with whom I have issues) apparently calls my mother every week. This annoys me because the only way to be ‘better’ than her would be to call twice a week! Whatever I do, I can never be better than her in my parents’ eyes.

Anyway, recently I haven’t been calling because my elder sister and husband have been visiting my parents with their 6-month-old baby. I didn’t want to have to sit for hours listening about the wonders of the baby. My husband and I don’t intend to have children so again it’s one more thing that my perfect sister will have/do that I won’t/don’t.

I’m planning to call my parents today, maybe even speak to both my father and mother if I can. I almost only ever speak to my mother, who nagged me about calling my father, which only put me off even more.

Why is family always so complicated? At least we all live in different countries…