Hi! My son just started his new career as a trucker a week ago. I've been a bit of a nervous wreck since he started since winter is here now and he's been driving in snow and sub-freezing conditions with overnight trips, etc. I bought him a down filled sleeping bag, will he need anything else? Any Christmas present ideas? I want him to stay healthy on the road and to be comfortable in the truck while drives. And does the worring ever get any easier?Trucker's mom....

I rarely post in this forum, kind of feel that I should stay out of here. But, I think I can shed some light on this one. Way back when I joined the military, one of the things that happened was Mom had to learn to let go. i was an adult, made my choices, for better or worse, and all she could do was support those choices. Unfortunately, he can't stay your little boy forever, and you have to grit your teeth a little bit, stand back, and watch what happens. There are millions of people who drive safely in all kinds of weather conditions, so the odds are highly in favor that your son will do the same. If you raised him well, then he has the judgement to know when he is in over his head and he will make the correct decisions.

You will be amazed at the changes in him over the time of driving. He'll develop a lot of confidence and skills you never realized he was capable of, and will grow in new ways. Support him through it, and it will turn out for the good.

if you have questions, you have found a good resource here for getting them answered. There are folks here who have encountered what you are seeing, from various angles and can help you through any questions you may have. This community very actively supports one another.

One advantage you have is that he's grown up driving in the winter weather and can handle snow. Lots of folks come from further south and hit snow and panic.

Nice gifts for in his truck would be an inverter, TV, microwave, maybe nice sheets made for truckers that are sewn together on the bottom, electric plug-in blanket, depending on what he's allowed on his truck.

I can send you some links to sites that sell stuff for truckers if you want.

Thanks for the responses. Yes, I know I have to let go, its the weather conditions that bother me more than sending him off on this new adventure. I'm actually very envious because he won't be chained to a computer all day like I am! I think his choice of career is a great move and I encouraged him in his choice. I just wish he didn't have to start out in the worst winter we've had in years with so much more snow that we've become accustomed to. At least snow is better than freezing rain!Yes, please send me links to sites for good present ideas, Myminpin. That would be a great help!

The weather conditions still worry me even after my husband has been driving for 20 long years. SIGH
It's just something we live with being in a trucking environment and just know that your son will do his best Iam sure.

I don't worry about my husbands driving, but I do worry about other vehicles around him, who think they are "Ten feet tall and bullet proof" and drive like that.

He takes it all in stride and says a few nasty words and on his way he goes...lol..

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One of those tiny portable DVD players would be useful for him.

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Dresda, welcome to the forum!
I was just going to suggest a DVD player, but a CB can be a very useful tool, too (I could not truck without mine).
Other things he'd need are more utilitarian: Lots of clothes, undies, socks, work boots/snow boots, etc. It's like a very long camping trip, you can imagine the amount of crap one needs!

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Dresda,

Glad you joined us. I'm sure that you have plenty of ideas for gifts now. So I'll just say welcome and we hope you stick around. Its great having you here.

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Welcome to the forum....glad to have you and I am sure you will find the forum informative....

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"Once in every life....someone comes along and I was so in Love...it was almost like a song..."

I love the Truckers Report...my favorite place to be...

Thanks for all the welcomes!He's got a laptop with dvd player with him in the truck, including mapping software. And he's got his ipod with thingy to feed it into the radio in the truck. I'll look into the cb radio idea, it would be nice if he could chat with other people on the road, especialy when the weather's bad.Thanks for the ideas!