Questions or comments from the wives of Walmart drivers.

I'd like to thank all the Walmart wives for everything that you do while we drivers are away from home. My wife mows the yard, cooks and jars up food for me to take, has fixed a gas water heater and replaced a circuit board in our fridge, not to mention all the regular things involved in taking care of the house (cleaning and such). I constantly tell her I couldn't do what I do without her.

 

Amen to that - couldn't do what we do without her being the boss all week and sliding to the side for 2 days when I'm home!!

 

My husband starts his Walmart career next week. Very nervous as he is leaving his current job of 20yrs. Im hoping this is the right decision for our family as he is miserable where he is at now (long hours, tired, stressed). As much as it will suck to have him gone 4 nights, I can handle it. I'm more worried about our 7yr old son. He loves his daddy. Any tips on helping cope with this change?

 

Where was he working before that?

 

He currently works for yrc as a city driver.

 

He will like it much better. It'll take adjustment on the family end of things.

 

My husband just started a couple weeks ago so I can't speak to the Walmart experience so much. But he's been on the road a lot in his other jobs, so I know that side of things. Get a map, and track where he is with your son. Do the old fashioned, pin and string thing so he can see where's he's traveling, or just point out the roads to him. FaceTime is wonderful at night, when they're sleepy and just need to see daddy's face. Have him bring a little something home each time, just a snack or a keychain or something...gumball machine stuff, nothing expensive, and that'll be something to look forward to when he gets home. Get out and do things, stay busy...let him know you miss daddy too, and that it's ok to miss him, but that it's all ok! Lots of daddies have to work away from home and that just means he has a really good daddy who is willing to work. When it gets down to it, I believe my husband spends more quality time with the kids on the days he's home, than he would if he were home nightly but was exhausted and cranky all those nights.

 

Another thing to do is have your son ride with your husband. Once he feels comfortable, have him go for a week with Daddy. That is what our son has done many, many times. The last time was this past spring break, and he is 15. He wears blue polo's and jean shorts like his Daddy. When he was younger, I would sew the WM patches on his shirts (just ask at the DC, and they will give them to him). He LOVES it. Not only does he get to see exactly what his Daddy does at work, but it is real quality time together, and something to look forward to.

I am not sure what the age cut-off is, so he would have to ask the DC. Our son has gotten hats and a WM jacket from the GTM.

It is a wonderful program that Walmart actively promotes. They want family members to ride along. Also, he will have a lot of opportunities, when at vendors, on his 30 minute break, etc. to talk to him on the phone. Rick tells our son all about his day, as he talks to him every day when he is out. Since our son has gone with him so often, he really understands everything that his Dad is telling him.

So understand that you will be getting your husband back. The man that you had before he was miserable and stressed out, that is who will come back. There is absolute job security, there is financial security, and he will be treated with respect and his opinion will matter. It is hard to believe right now, but it will happen. Then the time he is home with you two, he will really be WITH you. There is a big difference.

 

Happy Mothers day weekend ladies! GOD BLESS!