Older kids (late 20s) have all moved out and have busy lives. All have retained their own key to the family home, all drive and are welcome any time. They keep in touch, text, call every now and again. Dad sends messages every day as they are usually too busy to take calls.
It's been a while since we had any visits. We have traversed over the country visiting in the past, however, DH has been unwell for a while now and is unable to drive (I don't drive).
DH birthday on fathers day. He had a brief text from all of them with well wishes for both. The day passed fairly uneventfully, DH opened the gifts our younger children gave him and we spent the day with friends.
This morning he spoke about how unhappy he was that our older children are happy to receive gifts, cash, visits from us, but very rarely reciprocate. I could see he was upset, so I found myself making excuses for them, and suggested maybe we were at fault for having an open invitation as opposed to specifically inviting them around.
Am I being unreasonable to think it wouldn't have taken them much effort to put a card in the post or contribute a couple of quid each to gift him a present? Or should I have to prompt and specifically invite in order to ensure DH is acknowledged?