Dear Annie: It’s important to make time to stay in touch with family

Dear Annie: As a wife, mother of three and a full-time program manager overseeing a crisis unit, I juggle a lot of responsibilities. Despite my busy schedule, I find myself having to be the one to initiate contact with my husband’s side of the family. If I didn’t, we would likely never see them. Maintaining family connections is important to me, and I’m happy to make the effort, but I feel it’s a shared responsibility.

In today’s fast-paced world, I understand that communication can be difficult. Some people are naturally good at staying in touch, while others think about reaching out but may forget with everything else going on. But when it comes to family, I believe that no one should assume the burden alone; communication is a two-way street, and phones work both ways.

So, to the grandparents with a similar issue: I urge you to pick up the phone and make a plan if you’d like to connect. We can’t always know when you want to visit or talk, and none of us can read minds. Shouldn’t the effort to stay connected be mutual and made together as a family? — It’s a Two-Way Street

Dear Two-Way Street: Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Many readers have shared similar suggestions about the importance of grandparents taking the initiative in making plans with their families. I’m sharing your letter here as an encouraging reminder for grandparents to reach out and say that they want to get together.