Communication Between Millennials and Parents

Keeping the Lines of Communication Open With Millennials

Daily conversations with parents have pros and cons

Chris Gramly/Istock More than half of millennials phone, text or email their parents nearly every day. Like thousands of students last fall, Liam McCarney of West Chester, Pa., went off to college. And like thousands of parents, Ann Pinto McCarney and her husband didn't hear from their son for almost a month — except for an occasional . So Ann made a giving Liam instructions on how to use his cellphone, which she posted on Facebook. In less than a day, the video gathered more than a million views, apparently striking a chord with other parents wondering if their adult child knows how to use a phone.

Adult Children and Millennials

— Receive access to exclusive information, benefits and discounts Despite those musings, conversation — actual and digital — is thriving between parents and children. And both benefit from the increased contact, according to in the U.K. journal Psychologist. More than half of millennials phone, text or email their parents nearly every day. Another 25 percent report contact several times a week. That contact reflects several societal trends, notes the article's writer, . The most obvious is increased use of cellphones and computers. Also playing a major role is the changed nature of young adult life in the 21st century: more time for education and establishing a career, and . Unmarried millennials have more frequent contact with parents than those who are married. "A prolonged period of 'singlehood' or serial relationships with different partners may raise the importance of ties to a parent during young adulthood," Fingerman writes. She adds that even though young people may live together, those relationships are less stable than married couples. But these frequent conversations come with mixed feelings. Many boomers recall an era when talking to your parents daily as a young adult was a sign of immaturity and dependency. Few boomers today boast that their children call or every day. So although relationships between young adults and parents are closer than in the past, Fingerman says, "our beliefs and expectations about what those relationships should be like has not caught up." Frequent conversations can also affect a parent's well-being. Studies indicate that parents suffer stress when their adult children are struggling. The problems and resulting strained relationship can "generate a cascade of daily and long-term psychological consequences for parents," Fingerman writes. An acquaintance found this was the case with her daughter who, conflicted about both law school and her boyfriend, called nightly with her litany of problems. Apparently after unloading, the daughter slept better — but the mother didn't. After about a month, the mom told her daughter to phone only during the day, which cut down on the calls — and the mom's stress levels. Still, for some parents, their personal pain is worth the payoff for their children. "When parents offer young adults support on a weekly basis or more often," Fingerman says, "the grown children report greater life satisfaction and better adjustment." So keep sending those texts and making the phone calls. Mary W. Quigley, a journalist and author, has written two books about motherhood and work. An NYU journalism professor, she is the mother of three adult children and blogs at . Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

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