“They weren’t going to say ‘Hey kids, come over to dinner every week at this time and we’ll hang out.’ They wanted it to be on our terms,” Ben says. “We were certainly welcome whenever we wanted to go.”

Indeed the Jackson family gathered for Wednesday and Sunday showings of the crime drama “Law & Order.”

Despite his initial caution, Ben says he came to enjoy the situation. With his own key to the Lowell House family apartment, Ben had access to a full fridge, comfortable furniture, a fax machine, a car and the occasional home-cooked meal.

“Ben kind of enjoyed it. He loved it because he could watch TV while his laundry was being done for free, and raid the refrigerator and have a bigger space to relax in,” Helen says.

There have been other advantages, too. When the Callbacks found themselves with too many singers and too few beds this year for Commencement, Ben’s parents provided the much-needed housing and much-appreciated food.

The downside—if there is one for the Jackson children—is that their parents have become more involved in their academic lives.

“Our parents keep us on our toes,” Ben says. “They know my professors, they ask me multiple questions about the reading assignments they know I have and the papers they know I am supposed to be writing.”

Overall, though, the Jackson family say they’ve treasured the opportunity for a reunion under one—albeit very large—roof.

“I think they got a big kick out off all being here,” Helen says. “It has been a long time since everyone has been in the same space.”

—Staff writer Faryl W. Ury can be reached at ury@fas.harvard.edu.