How often does your family get together?

@yeyelee (370)
China
October 4, 2010 11:17pm CST
I'm studying in another city away from home,and my parents are working in different city away from home and me too.I have nowhere to go when school breaks.My family and me just get together during Spring Festival for almost two weeks.I would miss my father,my mother much every time when i run into some annoying things and i have no idea what to do.How often does your family get together,do you always feel single,lonely and a bit cold?
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16 responses
8 Oct 10
I can certainly understand what you're going through right now, yeyelee. My mom started working abroad when I was in grade school and my dad also followed her after a few years. My two younger brothers are also with them now, and I had to move out of my hometown because of my job. I go home on holidays sometimes, maybe once or twice a year. Sometimes my parents and brothers also come home once a year or every two years. I get really lonely sometimes, and sometimes I would find myself begging them to come home especially when I get sick and I'm alone. But my friends and my job help me not think about the loneliness too much.
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@yeyelee (370)
• China
8 Oct 10
At least you have your job and friends that could make you not to feel so lonely.I was still in school,i have just got acquainted with several students after staying here for one year.I found myself kind of self-imprisoned.
• United States
5 Oct 10
We usually get together during weekends. My father was the only one working during weekdays and my mother stays at home. I'm a fresh college graduate and my three other siblings goes to school. Our family day falls every Sunday. We would eat, watch movies and even play together badminton. But it was totally different nowadays. I already have a job. But my is based somewhere else not near our home. I kinda feel lonely during this past few months because I'm not used to being alone. I miss my family so much like you do. But I know I have to do this also for my family. I'm here because for my family.
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@yeyelee (370)
• China
6 Oct 10
It's great that you're so responsible for your family.I always think family is just the reason we have to struggle and make life better.
@cikedo (3483)
• United States
5 Oct 10
I'm in a similar predicament to you. I am studying at a University away from the city my mom and stepdad live in. I live on the other end of the country from my dad and only get to see him twice a year. Luckily I still get to see my mom and stepdad about once a month. It's hard being away from them since I am use to seeing my family every day. I'm not lonely though because I live with other people and we keep each other company.
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@yeyelee (370)
• China
6 Oct 10
So your friends paly a part in decreasing your feelings of loneliness,to some degree substituting part of function of your family.I always walk,eat alone in school,just me,when i seat at table and have lunch,i feel so bad.It's not that i don't wanna make friends,but the surroundings make me so.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
5 Oct 10
Some families only get together for family reunions. Some families get toegther over the holidays. i am fortunate enough to say that my family gets together often. We don't need s special occasion to enjoy each other's company.
@yeyelee (370)
• China
5 Oct 10
You're so lucky,i envy you very much.
@kodukodu84 (1569)
• Malaysia
5 Oct 10
I'm also far away from my family and it is the same for my other siblings. we are only able to get together on Christmas and after new year before everyone including me leave again to different cities where we work at. Fortunately, one of my younger brother is working at the same state as me, so we always try to meet up and have lunch together when we can.
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@yeyelee (370)
• China
6 Oct 10
My younger brother is staying in the same city as me,but he is working and he's very naughty and wayward,even my parents could do nothing to constrain him.We seldom meet up and have lunch with you.I envy you so much.
• Lithuania
5 Oct 10
In my country average time that all family spend together is five minutes. :)
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@yeyelee (370)
• China
6 Oct 10
All extended family?And what's about your siblings and your parents?
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
5 Oct 10
Twice a year. During December and summer time. I lived far from my siblings and our mom is working abroad,and she comes home once in a year and that is during summer time where kids had their school vacation. During December,it's me and my siblings who always had the time together and our kids to build a close relationship and keep the family bond that we (me and my siblings) had ever since we are kids.
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@yeyelee (370)
• China
5 Oct 10
It sounds the frequency is a little less,just like me.After i graduate,my parents will resign their job and come back home.At that time,i would have more time to spend with them.But it's the time i have to work outside,to take over the family and the responsibility.
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
5 Oct 10
I am fortunate enough that i still live with my family, with my mother, father and other siblings. We always find time to get together every Sunday since that's the only time where all of us don't have work or classes. Even my elder sister who has her own family now, goes to our house with her family to spend time with us..so i never really feel cold or lonely. Hope you won't feel lonely anymore, try finding friends in the place you currently live or try calling your parents every now and then :)
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@yeyelee (370)
• China
5 Oct 10
Your family is so harmony,so good.Yeah,i often call my friend and talk some little things happened in daily life,it really works,but i could not always do such thing,it costs a lot.And my father and i are both ineloquent,we just could talk several minute and then hung up,although we missed each other.
@llbo1981 (1237)
• China
6 Oct 10
My situation is similar to you.I worked in another city which is far from my hometown.My family members are far from me certainly.I always meet my family members once a year.Although i always miss them,i need to work to survive my family.It is a beautiful dream for me to live with them together often.
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• Philippines
6 Oct 10
My whole family which includes my cousins, aunts, and aunties, etc. get together whenever someone celebrates his birthday. We usually have one celebration every month for all the birthday celebrants. But when during December, when my aunt comes home from Kuwait, we all gather almost everyday!..and the house is really like a restaurant!
• Philippines
5 Oct 10
while the kids are still small, as much as possible, we bond most of the time and we make every day a family day for us. we dine together, we watch tv together and when we play together. sooner or later as they all grow up, they will surely have their own peer and their own activities till we have to let them go to their own world. much more in this time, most grown-up children are trying their luck working abroad. it will surely be sad to see them go but we can not hold their future. this is why while they kids are still young, we try to make the best out of everything everyday.
@yeyelee (370)
• China
5 Oct 10
You must be a good parent.You know how to give the best to your kids in order to make them grow up in a good surrounding.And when they've been grown-up children,you know let them go,let them do the things they like.
@miya03 (31)
• Philippines
5 Oct 10
my eldest brother and sister have their jobs in different city, and as a college student i used to go home late night that's why my parents weren't able to see me often. but since my brother meet an accident my eldest sister used to visit him at home every sat and sunday.
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@yeyelee (370)
• China
5 Oct 10
So sad for your brother.
• China
5 Oct 10
I have the same situation with you,espedially when some festivels come nearly,i will miss home more.Here are no relatives.i have my own family,and my daughter.but in order to get good job,i have no way.sometimes i want to change this ,by some reasons,it's impossible for me .i feel single ,lonely and helpless.i hope we change this situation as soon as possible,and have a good life.
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@yeyelee (370)
• China
5 Oct 10
The situation once was generated,it's usually hard to change,to some degree.Does your husband work with you? I don't hope i could change the situation as soon as possible,i just wish the state doesn't last for long.Wish you have a good life.
• Philippines
5 Oct 10
yeah. I get pretty emo back when I was in college thinking I could not get together with my family for months. And when there's something new or funny I could not relate to them because I don't know the whole story. I struggle to catch up with them. But as time goes on, I got used to it. It gets better when we share things over the phone once a week. Until now, we don't get together much. I could say we meet up 2 times in a month or none at all. But we stay in touch through calling, chatting, etc.
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@yeyelee (370)
• China
5 Oct 10
Meaningful family time is too often pushed aside by heavy demands of society.So we should cherish every minute when you're with your family members.
@kukueye (1759)
• Malaysia
6 Oct 10
I seldom spent time with my parents even i when i am staying with them.I think not talking to much reduce the tension.Sometime will eat lunch or dinner together maybe few times per month other than that i stick to my own routine and work inside my personal room.Sometime will do some house chorse which are requested.If not i usually will eat dinner outside or cook myself.
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• Philippines
6 Oct 10
yes, that's the least part of it...because as we are growing old, we tend to get away from the pressures our family put us into...my sister who has just graduated last year decided to work and stay away from our parents.we are still coping with times when we're sitting at the table having dinner and thinking about our sister who is far away.but it has also taught us to treasure those moments when we are all complete in the family.
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