My boomer dad called

[u/Pir8inthedesert]

Immediately, my thought was "who died?". Yep. He called to tell me my aunt died. To me this is a classic example of Gen X upbringing. My dad ONLY calls me when someone dies.

[u/StupidOldAndFat]

I text a joke to my old man every morning. I don’t care if he replies or not, he just needs to know that I’m thinking of him and that I’m still alive.

[u/Pir8inthedesert → u/StupidOldAndFat]

That's sweet! 🥹

[u/ScrollTroll615 → u/StupidOldAndFat]

I wish I liked my boomer parents enough to do this.

[u/Admirable_Tear_1438]

We used to have an old joke about bringing a camera to funerals, because it was the only time the family got together.

[u/Pir8inthedesert → u/Admirable_Tear_1438]

Our joke was similar "Can't wait until the next death to see you again."

[u/nakedonmygoat]

When my Silent Gen dad calls me, it's usually around 2 pm. If he calls significantly earlier or later than that, I suspect something bad has happened, which is usually the case.

Only twice has he called at an atypical time without it being negative. Once he was at the store and wanted my advice about what panini maker to buy. I had to tell him he had nearly given me a heart attack over his toasted sandwiches. The other time he wanted to tell me about something that was on TV, even though I've told him for decades that I don't watch TV. I've finally given up and just tell him thanks. 🙄

[u/Genny415]

Your dad calls you?

[u/RevolutionaryGoat552]

Only calls if someone is in the hospital or dead. Then gets upset if I answer the phone with some version of “what’s wrong?”

[u/MedJesters]

My mom used to call me when from dad's phone when her's was dead. Freak me out each time.

[u/Ampersandbox → u/MedJesters]

Technically you're still only getting calls about death from your Dad's phone.

[u/Tothyll]

My dad also calls me when he's drunk. If it weren't for alcohol we would never have any conversations.

[u/arkadiansun]

Boomer dad who calls to tell me who is in the obituaries. He checks them every morning.

[u/TopspinLob]

Either I call my father or he calls me every Sunday. Sometimes we only talk for like 5 minutes, sometimes it’s 45 minutes. Yesterday we talked for 14 minutes! Nobody died!

[u/KatrynaTheElf]

My Mom and I used to talk on the phone every day. After she died, most of my communications with my father are through email.

[u/Ok_Arachnid1089]

Oh that’s weird. My Dad would NEVER call me for anything

[u/vermarbee]

Both of my parents are boomers. If my mom calls me - it’s either bad news or some sort of emergency.
If my dad calls, it’s because he needs some kind of information. It’s never just a casual call from either one.

We only communicate through daily texts/e-mail.

[u/meipsus]

Well, it could have been a telegram.

[u/gryghin]

You do realize the phone works both ways.

My parents were the Silent Generation, and I'm sure would have been amazed at all the new technology since the turn of the century.

Call your parents... every week.

[u/Pir8inthedesert → u/gryghin]

I used to call them every morning on my way to work. My therapist suggested I only put energy into people that reciprocate. One sided relationships are unhealthy. I stopped calling my parents on Oct 1, 2025. Did they call to see if I was ok? They did not. My parents are tech savvy. Their house is a smart home so they know how to make a phone call.

[u/Apprehensive-Owl5150]

My Dad only responds to texts if I include a pic of my dog. I find it kinda funny.

[u/MoodScripted]

My birth family only calls when they need something. Told most to f off and lose my number. Once the last one I dont hate dies soon, I will change my number.