to expect a mobile phone to be switched on

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My dad lives with a girlfriend and does not like me calling the landline if I want to speak to him, but the thing is, his mobile is never switched on.

My brother and I have over the years asked, begged and pleaded for him to switch his phone on but he rarely bothers.

Is there something I am missing here? It just makes me so frustrated!

So call the landline. Tell him if he won't switch on the mobile, you have no choice. What if you have an emergency?

Not that I think having a mobile means I have to answer 24/7/365 but if he wants you to ring it, he should at least switch it on!

Do you think he is making himself unavailable on purpose? How old are you and your brother. Phone the landline if the mobile is switched off.

I'd phone the landline.

My mobile is always either lost, flat or stuffed a the bottom of a bag somewhere so I'm probably not the best person to take advice from

Sorry but I only every turn a phone on if I feel communicative. If I don't the mobile stays off and the landline goes unanswered. It's my choice to communicate, I guess your father feels the same way

If I call thelandline he gets really annoyed. :( So yes I would in an emergency but not otherwise but effectively that means we never get to speak to him and it's sad as he's all the family we've got (we're 31 and 33)

I think if his mobile is always off and he doesn't want you to use the landline then unfortunately he is sending a clear message that he does not want to talk to you or your brother.

That being said I don't think having a mobile means you should be available 24/7, my mobile is for my convenience not other peoples.

p.s. I do sympathise my dad only bothers to talk to me and my sister if he is between girlfriends.

Does he check his mobile's voicemail? (And if he does, does he return messages?)

Surely it is much cheaper to phone a landline than to phone a mobile.

Why is he trying to avoid speaking to you? Is there a history of lack of interest from him?

Empire, yes, he loves us in his own way but he isn't really interested in us on a personal level.

Paiviaso - no, he wouldn't know how to access it I don't think.

It makes me feel so alone. My brother is disabled and is no support to me and my dad isn't interested (I knew it, I'm not upset with people for stating the obvious but it's upsetting to see it in b & w so please don't think I am having a go) - I just find myself wondering how on earth I'm going to manage being a single parent. I know I will but I don't know, am just scared.

I'm so sorry for your situation. Believe in yourself OP. Do you have friends or other family?

Letters. Old-fashioned letters sent thru the post. Would he reply to them?
Email? Facebook?

How do you get on with your father's girlfriend? Has she been the cause of his lack of interest? Is it possible to get to know her better? It might help to bring you all together.