What is wrong with not wanting to speak to your father every day?

Question

My father and have never been close which isn't to say that there is tension between us, (although there can be).. which is why i feel uncomfortable talking to him (unlike my mother)... yet he wants to hear from me EVERY DAY but i just don't feel like it.. i realize i only get to see him every weekend because he lives like 40 miles away from my town, but it's draining forcing myself to not be myself around him .. i feel uncomfortable telling him this whenever he asks why he doesnt hear from me, so i havent.. is that so wrong to not want to hear from him every day? rather every three days or so?

Answer 1

My dad and I always had a rocky relationship. He is NOT my favorite person, but I don't totally hate him. He has moved to Florida a few years ago and I still live in New Hampshire.

Our relationship is much better because of the distance. I make sure I call him once a week. If I had more money, I would visit him, but not more than once a year.

If you are an adult, you are NOT obligated to please him and work around your own life to visit him. It would be nice to make some time to visit him, but I don't see why you HAVE to see him every weekend.

You may want to find a way to live your life, for yourself. It's okay to say "No" and to change your mind. You can make plans for other things as well.

I can't be myself around my family, but I can be myself around my in-laws. I do try my best to stay in contact. But we have grown apart and are busy with our own lives.  

Answer 2

When so many men just walk out of their children's lives forever, it's great that your dad wants to keep  close touch with your life, I don't understand why you feel you have  to not be yourself around him, but you might say to him that you appreciate him being interested, but you often don't have much to say  when you talk so often.