I had a very close friend (long since dead now), but she used to be virtually fixed to her phone, with her AC telephoning her several times each day, no matter what else she was doing. I found it very rude, that whilst she was visiting or out with me, she spent so much time just chatting on the 'phone, and told her so.
My children keep in touch with me as and when needed. Have dropped into the habit of having a weekly catch-up chat with my eldest daughter, but the others usually speak to on the 'phone, maybe about every two or three weeks. If something happens, good or bad, they will contact me or me then, but they all have very busy lives and I know that 'no news is good news'!!!
Strangely enough. my friends AC did not respect her at all - some of the language used to her by her eldest son would have received a slap round the mouth from me (when he was doing this and I was there, he actually apologised to me).
So, the were not ringing so often because of care or love, but to prevent her having a sulk if they did not.