Over a quarter (27%) of dutiful daughters pop by everycouple of days compared to only a fifth (19%) of sons. ?Feeling like youshould? is not the main reason for visits to the parental roost, in fact thetop reason for the trips are simply to make sure parents are happy. The wisdomof mum and dad is still sought with over one in ten (13%) using visits toreceive advice and expertise from them.



 

What drives people to visit parents that do not live in thehousehold:

   1. Make sure theyare happy (56%)

   2. They are gettingolder so I want to spend as much time as possible with them (55%)

   3. I enjoy beingwith them (45%)

   4. I feel I shouldsee them (38%)

   5. To help themwith tasks e.g. DIY and shopping (31%)

 

How close you live to your children plays a big role in howoften they visit. Those who live down the road (within ten miles) see theirparents on average every three days (108 times a year). Living slightlyfurther, but still less than an hours drive away (11 ? 50 miles), dramaticallycuts yearly visits by two thirds, with trips occurring only every nine days (38times a year). Almost half of people (45%) cite living too far away fromimmediate family as the main reason they don't see them as much as they wouldwish. A quarter (24%) also highlighting how high costs of traveling is animpediment.

 

Average number of visits in a year by each child based ondistance lived apart:

    * Under 10 miles =108 visits

    * 11 ? 50 miles =38 visits

    * 51 ? 100 miles =29 visits

    * 101 ? 200 miles= 11 visits

    * More than 200miles = 6 visits

    * They live abroad= 4 visits

Keeping in contact with loved ones has never been so easy, with ever increasingmethods available. Picking up the phone still tops the list as the mostfrequent way to communicate with family although modern messaging systems aregaining popularity fast with only 6% now using letters to keep in touchcompared to 5% who use social networking websites.

 

Most frequent ways to communicate with immediate family:

   1. Telephone (80%)

   2. Face to face (49%)

   3. Text messages(43%)

   4. Email (38%)

   5. Instantmessaging (17%)

Andrew Goodsell, Chief Executive, , said: ?With so manystatistics indicating a breakdown in family bonds, it's great to see that manycontinue to hold on to the importance of close family ties. Interestingly, theresearch shows that although people visit parents to make sure they are welland healthy, socialising and spending time with them for fun is also apriority, proving how difference in age is no barrier to sharing experiencesand having a good time?.