Well I am in a slightly different places than most of you ladies who have posted on this thread so far.

My boyfriend is a OTR driver and has been for a little over 2 years now. He started out team and drove that way for most of his career. When we first got together he would spends 3 to 5 weeks out and then come home for a few days and it was always amazing to get to spend time with him after being apart for so long. We cherished every minute we had together.

While he was out we text all the time and talked before he went to sleep each day/night. He kept me informed on where he was, where he was headed, how he was getting there, when he had to be there, etc... It helped me a lot to be so involved. Also since I was not working or in school at the time I tried to stay on about the same sleep schedule as him so that even if he was asleep during the day and up at night we could still text his whole shift and talk before we went to sleep. It didn't always work out for me to be able to but that helped too when I could do.

About 2 1/2 months ago everything changed. We decided that being apart so much was not for us. He went solo and now I am out on the road with him.

I love this life. It takes some serious adjusting to live in such a close space with someone 24/7 but you can make it work. We have learned ways to each have some "personal time". We get on each others nerves sometimes but that's unavoidable. As of yet we have not had any major fights and we always make up after small squabbles within a few hours at the very most.

My favorite part is knowing how much I can help and make his job easier. I send our messages and take care of most of the paperwork. I also help finding customers and worry about getting us both fed something besides fast food all the time.

I would definitely recommend every wife/girlfriend to some out at least once. It really does help.

For any women who read this and have been in my shoes as a newbie out on the road I would greatly appreciate any advice.

I noticed people were introducing themselves so here's a little about me:
-My name is Katey.
-I'm 19
-I am currently riding OTR with my boyfriend til I turn 21 and can get my CDL so we can team.
-We have no kids or pets yet.
-I'm new to these forums (joined yesterday).
-I was never involved with trucking at all until about 10 months ago so even though I have learned a lot there is still a whole lot I don't know.

Just caught this thread! Some of this has already been said so sorry for the repeat, but it's my experience as to how I adjusted.....

DH and I have been married for 16 years (tomorrow) and he's been a driver for 13 of these years. He started out local, but was getting so little sleep (and ALWAYS tired and VERY VERY crabby) got a sleeper and ended up doing LTL and home weekends. (Sometimes) It was VERY hard for me to adjust. I was a stay at home mom and during the week had no schedule, tied to little ones (we have 4 kids.) The long weeks were hard and lonely. No cell for us back then so he'd call when he got a chance. He would come home and be so exhausted all he would want to do was sleep and I was so much craving his time and attention (but did I mention he was CRABBY when he was tired) so weekends were really tough and more than one would start out with an argument or end with one, it's the grace of God we are still married!

The kids wanted to see daddy too and we had pretty much 24 hours with him as he would get home Sat afternoon, and be back out by Sunday evening. Monday's were the worst as the kids would wake up realize dad was gone again and fall apart and I would be picking up the pieces.

Hubby wasn't a driver when we met (he was in typesetting) and then worked in the banking industry for awhile so I had a guy with a 9 to 5 and a couple hour commute, but we still had time together everyday. When he went OTR during the weeks it drove me NUTSO!

I started adding some "outside" activities just to break up our week. Granted some of the things we did started happening on Saturdays, meaning we either didn't see daddy OR he came along (which he didn't always like because he wanted to be HOME) toss in church on Sunday morning and there was very little time for the family (or hubby wife time)

I didn't realize until the company went under and he was off for a couple of weeks exactly HOW MUCH I was doing to replace time with him. Cause after he slept for like 3 days, the guy that emerged was a different person (I actually LIKED the guy and remembered why I married him...LOL) then all that stuff I was doing to fill time seemed to be a nuisance as it got in the way of us doing things together (granted some of it was no more than going to unemployment together...LOL)

So....what I learned from all of this...at first you will need to cut him some slack...especially as he learns the ropes. 2nd learn what you can about his job and trucking. ( I didn't WANT to do this as I resented the fact that all the guy did was talk truck 24-7 and the stupid truck kept him away from me for 6 1/2 days out of 7 leaving me to raise 4 kids by my self) but it does help to know what he is talking about.

If you are going to be home, do something besides staying at home ALL the time. But make sure you can be flexible with your schedule when he is home so you can see him.

I also do the meal thing for him. I have stuff I make for sandwiches, or things he can heat in the hot pot or toaster oven type things, I'll also freeze meals of leftovers for him to take out on the road during the week (THAT is getting harder now that I have a 6'2" bottomless pit of a 14 y.o. but we manage...LOL) Cell is a must, and internet helps.

Welcome to the world of truckers wives!

My husband just finished orientation and leaves tomorrow with his trainer. He was gone 1/2 of the week (each week) with his prior business, but the thoughts of not seeing him for atleast 4 weeks (maybe 5 or 6 weeks) has got me quite down today. We have no children, and I have thought that might have made it go by quicker (caring for others while he is gone). The worst part, for me, has been trying to NOT cry or act down when he calls... I am trying desperately not to make him feel guilty or down.

Any advice on how to cope... no kids, only working part time, and my classes don't begin for another 6 weeks!

Hi everyone. I am now a true blue truckers wife. CB started this week in oreintation. It wasn't to bad because the terminal and where he stayed I was able to go over for dinner with him and even stay a couple of nights. He got his trainer yesturday around 3:30 pm and I just got to talk with him for the first time after 30 hours! I quess they didn't stop till late last night. We have been married 35 yrs and haven't been away from each other for more than 1 week at a time but still talked everyday.

I am really glad that we have this avenue to talk to someone who knows. We are one of the many that my husbands place of work was bought up and they moved out of state and no jobs for those that worked there. He had worked there 25 years! Our life has taken a drastic turn. I am praying that this will turn out to be better than it seems right now.

I quess I am disappointed. We were told that with this company we would have insurance in a little over 30 days, and we do. Except if there is a pre-existing condition there is a 12 month waiting period! I think things have changed so much. When my husband was working at the plant that closed up we had insurance. We couldn't keep it because of the cost. It been over the 63 days so thats that.

Thank you for listening. Usually I am very positive person but this is just a difficult time to adjust to this new life.

To introduce myself:
My name is Gail
I am 53 and 2 boys who are grown and gone.
I do have a pet dog. Who is very sad. She is her Daddys girl.

Just take a deep breath and know that there is nothing you CANT deal with. Being a truckers wife takes a multi-talented woman and if you always keep in mind that the driver is also dealing with being away from home on top of trying to do their job it makes it a tad easier. Driving is a stressful job, being with a trainer can be VERY difficult. You can always come here to yell/rant and rave and then when he calls you will be in a better mood.

ONCE you get over the "down" thing you will start cleaning house, rearranging furniture, planting flowers, and taking a few minutes each day to just be nice to yourslef. Have a girlfriend over for a craft night, lunch or go yard saleing. Read some funny jokes to share when he calls, talk about a movie you saw, some dork at the grocery store anything to keep from saying I miss you everytime he calls with that crack in your voice and the lump in your throat.

This is a life style, not a job and it will get better. Pretty soon you will adapt and be off and running. I know its difficult, when I droped my hubby off at his rig the first time (he had been local for years) I cried all the way home.

__________________
We gotta start at the TOP, wipe the slate clean and take OUR country BACK!
LuvMyHubby
Proud mom of an Army Man
Wife of a trucker

Wow.....what a great thread!!! So much knowledge in one place.

My hubby drives for a small local company that sends him out for 2-7 days right now but he has worked for companies where he has been gone longer. Our two children are grown so we decided "let's drive together" I start school on the 27th of this month. The closer it gets the more nervous (and excited) I become.

Most of my life I have been very shy and unsure of myself but.....that's the great part of getting older I now know I can do anything I set my mind too. Well that and I know if God has opened the doors He will help me achieve it.

Jacks girl, I have tried some of the crafts you mentioned on the road but made the mistake of bringing my beads along the first trip...what a disaster!!! How did you ever do it? The hobby I love right now is cake decorating...won't be doing any of that on the road LOL.
I don't get to go out with DH right now since he never knows how long he'll be gone and I work part time so can't risk not getting back. When I have gone out I would get so bored just sitting there and wished I could drive some and give him a break.

I look forward to hearing more about food ideas since I'll be in out driving before I know it.

It's very nice to meet ya'll and hope to make some friends on here. We are from a small town where you know everyone and never see anyone you don't recognize. Being on the road where nobody knows you is gonna be hard I think.

I've pretty much told ya'll about me but...
My name is Sandy
44 years "young"
Christian
2 grown children (son in the Army-Germany)
1 grandchild
Going to be a trucker driver....what?? (that's the response I get

You get used to it. Sometimes too used to it. Coming off the road is short lived. Sometimes when you have adapted to the on the road lifestyle both mates tend to be under foot after a few weeks. I know my wife is a bear to deal with over extended periods of togetherness...

<waving at ya from just north of Tampa>

I've been in this game for almost 20 yrs! Not often that I get to go along in the truck, got a 16 yr old daughter, 21 yo son, a labbie and an aquarium to keep watch over. But I do remember taking a summer vacation years ago with 4 us in double bunk truck. From NC (lived there at the time) to Arcadia, WI and back. What an experience that was!!!

These days we are O/O's with 3 trucks leased to local company. Right now, D/H, daughter and her best friend are in Daytona with stage equip. for Buck Cherry concert tonight. Sent my digital camera along for plenty of pics.

I just recently joined this forum and I like what I see. Lotta info for me, esp. running the office part of this biz. But I really like the friendliness that is evident on the boards.

Tibits on me:
Name is Robyn
48 (kids harp about my age...you're sooo old!)
married 21 years

Going to be a trucker driver....what?? (that's the response I get
I get the "sympathy" response, "oh, trucking" and then they walk away like we're not good enough to talk to anymore.

Thanks, luvmyhubby. I really thought that I would THROW myself into something right away (I usually do). I mean, I saw him less than a week ago, what's my problem?!?!?! Then I thought about it... it isn't the amount of time I haven't seen him, it is the amount of time I might not see him (since he is in training). I can handle 2 weeks gone and 2 days home.... it is this initial 4-6 weeks gone and NO DAYS HOME until the end! I thank GOD that I have my hubby's family just 1 mile down the road (I like to say that I "hit the in-law lottery", when I married into this family)!
But, I am a Christian and I am a praying girl too. And I PRAYED and PRAYED for a trainer who was a down to earth, loving christian man for my husband to train with (my husband believes in "something" but is not what I would define as a Christian... more like not sure). My husband called me on the second day of training and told me that his trainer used to be a pastor! What are the chances? I am going to take it as a little love note from God telling me to stop the worrying and rely on Him. Some might say that it is coincidence or just a fluke... but I am calling it a God thing.
I never thought that typing some thoughts out to a bunch of people I don't know would help me... but it sure does!!!!

By the way.... I haven't done an intro:
Name is Tanya, 30 year old pre nursing student (yes, a late bloomer), but posing as a mild mannered bookkeeper by day (lol)! Live in a very small town that I love with all my heart, have wonderful family and friends. Christian girl. Three dogs (our babies): 2 pits and one Chihuahua (who is actually WAY more aggressive than the pits every thought of being)!!!
Been with my hubs for 8 years, known him for about 10 years, but only married a little over 3 years now.
Guess thats the basics....