How would you handle this?

Yeah, I know what you mean, my family lives in Italia, & even if I call them every week and talk for hours they start asking when are U coming & visit especially if they I know that I'm gonna have some days off, is not just the plane ticket but I got my own things going on and other stuff to do, I have a life so not to be ugly or anything but that's how it is, I mean if they lived across the street I'll be with them for sure, but I can't.

I don't think you should ask for the airfare directly. Just tell them that you would love to see them, but you are on a budget and can't afford to pay for a ticket right now. That is not at all impolite, and it leaves the door open for them to offer to chip in if they would like. I'm guessing they won't as having kids is expensive too. It sounds like you all are in a situation where your lives have moved you far apart, and while you miss each other a lot, it's one of those things where getting together regularly is probably not practical.

If you all come from the same general area, consider setting up a once a year "reunion" kind of thing, where everyone travels to a meaningful, but affordable location once a year if they possibly can.

Good luck!

Some parents are just like that and it's not wrong for you to not visit them every month. Just inform them that you don't make the money to spend on plane tickets whenever you want and that if they want to see you more then they have to chip in some times. I have a set of parents in Cali. and another in FL, I'm single and living on my own and they want me to see them both at least once month. Just make it clear it's not going to happen with out some help. Planning ahead also helps, if you get the tickets at the right time and keep an eye for it there are some ticket specials that make the ticket only 100 for a round trip.

good luck.

I think that they are thinking it is a nice thing to do to invite you to come out. They also might be thinking that there is no way you would want their screaming kids all over your apartment. Not to mention if you want to do anything but hang out at home they would need a babysitter and being someplace where they don't know any would make that almost impossible. It just makes more sense for you to come there and I think if you just say, "yeah, if you pay for the ticket cause that's way out my budget" they will get the hint and either offer to help with a ticket or back off.

If most of your friends have kids then they just assume that it would be easier for you (one person) to hop on a plane to go see them, then them get everything ready for 3 to 4 people to get a plane ride over to you. Plus it would be cheaper for you then them. I wouldnt ask for the money but bring up, that you are on a budget and the fare is a little out of your range...if they do want to see you that bad then they may offer to help you out and maybe ask you how much you are short or what you would need. To fly anywhere in the US I would proly only pay about $200-$220 to really see someone I loved but anymore than that I would have them pay if they want to see you that bad. Thats pretty fare cause you are the one that has to d the traveling and pay the majority and be at someone elses home, they only have to pay a little bit of the ticket and they get to stay home and just welcome you, so they get it pretty easy. If they dont offer and just say thats too bad, then I guess its too bad then. Just try to save like $10 bucks out of each check when you get paid and when something comes up that you really want to go to or someone to see then you have a good chunck of change saved up to help with the ticket.

Hope this helped.

Well, we have four kids, so we travel rarely, because to fly with six people is massively expensive even before you start thinking of the headache of four kids on an airplane. We do miss our friends who live far away, and we do let them know they're always welcome to come see us. That doesn't mean that we expect them to drop everything and fly out if they can't afford it, nor does it mean we'll be offended if they don't come. It just means that we know we can't travel but if they can, that's great (and if they can't, that's what email is for). Maybe you're mistaking what is really just an expression of affection and open invitation as arm-twisting? How about just saying "I'd love to see you guys but it's not in the budget to fly out right now? You're always welcome down here if you can get away?"

I understand where you are coming from. I am single mom has well and always on a budget. And it hard enough to tell my own kids I can afford something they want. My family lives in town and I am lucky with that. Tell them you on a budget and you are not rich. You got bills to pay and everything.

Them: "When are you coming out here?"

You: "I can't afford to come right now, but I have a vacation planned in June and hope to see you then"

Then, send them a card or letter.