Ok I have sorted through all the post about what school to go to and what company to work for.what to expect. Now the hard part how did you break it to the family that you are going to make this career change? I live with a strong independent woman and we have talked casualy about all this and she says she is Ok with it. I am just not sure what she will do when I give her actual dates.So I am hoping to get a few suggestions on how you broke it to the other half that this is what you were going to do and how did they react.

I tried to explain to my wife (#2) what it would be like, and she (with the best intentions!) said OK, go for it!! But when starting driving, was out for 3 weeks at time and home only 3 days. She had a co-dependent personality and couldnt handle me being gone that long even tho I was on the cell with her every day. When I did get home, generally you need 1 whole day to catch up on sleep/rest, but she would 'drive me crazy' with activites to do!!
Eventually it wore 'her' out (I'm the one doing all that driving and bringing in a good paycheck!), she rebelled, spent the $$ so when I got back wasnt much left, and I filed for divorce!! Your strong, independent wife may not respond that way..God's best! JAM

I've never told my family that I drive a truck. They think I am a doctor who does abortions, and plays piano in a whorehouse on the weekends for extra cash.

...Burky, trying to compare trucking to those 'honorable' jobs.....

Communication is essential!

YOU both need to sit down and talk about it and go from there.

Alot of women can't handle the weeks at a time that their man will be gone.
It takes a special woman to put up with this kind of life that's for sure.

She will need to be strong and certianly independent with lot's of things to do to keep her mind busy.

Trucking is not a small change for a family...it's a BIG change with all parties agreeing to it or it won't work.

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Daytona - Cybergal is right - Communication! I'm a wife of a trucker, be honest and understanding. We wives are "bankers, chefs,mechanics, peace keepers, garbage taker outers, and lawn caregivers", we do it all. Make sure your family understands all points - my parents and siblings still don't agree with my honey being and OTR, but he loves it, is happy doing it and when he's home, we have his undivided attention. I feel this is better than a 9-5er that does nothing but complain the minute he walks in. My hubby tried coming off the road for 3 years, factory work, hated it, wasn't happy, thus I wasn't happy. When he climbed back in (been back 3 1/2 years) he was easier to live with (At least the 34 hours we get every now and then).

There are alot of web sites to for families of truckers - make sure yours checks them out too, you did your research, have them do theirs. Truckers wives/husbands are a special group, not everyone is cut-out for it, but if we love them, then we love what they do and stand behind them 24/7! Good Luck!

There are so many things that the wife of a trucker must deal with while he is away and on top of that she must also deal with him and all the stress that he faces....some days are wonderful other days are a real pain in the backside.

Cybergal is right, COMMUNICATION is the biggest issue, everyone must be on the same page and willing to switch over to this LIFE STYLE....its not a job to be OTR, it is a way of life.

Talking and giving your family information that is honest is the best way to do things....have them check out this site with you, post questions of their own, and most of all......talk about it.

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LuvMyHubby
PROUD Mom of an enlisted man currently in Iraq
"The Truckers Report..helping newbies avoid the shams and scams, providing support for driver families and just a GREAT place to hang out,laugh and learn!"