Newbies and Newbies wives

Hello and welcome to the open road. Probably by now you have completed your driving school (if Attended) and you are on the road. Just some helpful advice to make life a little easier for both you and the one you love. We shall start with the one giving the most sacrifice. The wife.

Wives:
You are the road warrior's wife. You lead the battle on the home front. My hat is off to you. You see the bills, pay the rent (or house payment), by the groceries, take care of the house, the children, the family. You attend the family events, ball games, school functions just so the man in your life may led in a world all by himself. Your man doesn't see the heartache, the stress, answering questions by the kids why Daddy isn't home. You don't have the luxury of taking a break away from the stress like you would if your man came home everyday. As a Truck Driver, the most that I can say is "Thank You" for putting up with this business.

Drivers:
You have it easy. Enough said. Yes driving a 80,000 lbs bullet down the road isn't easy, your worries are about what is happening at this moment and planning for the worst that might happen just ahead of you. Yes, making that money is important also and we can argue about all the others. The real work in on the home front and your not doing the battle your just trying to send the supplies to the troops. So remember, just be patient with the wife and don't patronize her. (example she says something about how difficult things are and your response is "Well, it difficult here too."

Hometime:
You made it, yes I mean the both of you.
Driver's:
Why do you want to go home to see the family and sleep the whole time. Kids will be kids and making noise is part of being a kid. don't get mad that they are screaming, fighting or banging on things. Remember they are kids. You need to pull over get some rest prior to getting home. I know after eating all the fried foods, Subway sandwiches and fast food the road has to offer; there is nothing better than a home cooked meal by your wife. Remember, your wife has been cook home cooked meals the whole time you have been gone. She wants to go out to eat and share quality time as a whole family. Hurray you get to eat out again. It is your job as her husband to make her happy and you will have to suck it up and provide to her needs and wants. (smartly though)
Wives:
Your man has just drove who knows how many miles and he probably was out of hours when he arrived, so he is very tired but very very happy to be home. There is nothing better than having you and the kids running to greet him. Greet him with a HUGE SMOOCH! :smt058 Later you may want to do this after the kids go to bed for the night. LOL It is just a suggestion you know. Having your man home what a joy. Have his shower ready (he might need it):smt064 Enjoy the time that you have together you have both earned it. Yes he wants to take you out to eat but remember that is all he does. Eating out. Find a place that he likes to eat and go there. Make him a home cook meal the next time. That is something that he has been looking forward to for awhile now.
Both:
Work together, and I mean TOGETHER on what needs to be done on the home front (i.e. bills, repairs etc). No need to get into an argument over the things that were there before you left. Remember this is a great time together.

Leaving:
Yes it was very short. It seems to get shorter each and every time too. This sad day had to come.
Wives:
Give him something that reminds him of home. Get the kids involved as well. Give him a reason to be safe. Buy and prepare foods for him to eat on the road. Truck drivers love to snack. Have something that is health not heavy something to munch on is good for him. It shows how much you care about him. He doesn't need a bunch of stuff that will either spoil, get in the way or just not used. Ask him what he would like. The cost of living out here is HUGE. Each meal can cost at least $10, times 3 meals, time 30 days. That is $900 a month and every way that you can help cut that down is a help to your man and kids. You have something for him to eat on the road just for a couple of days can Save you more money.
Drivers:
Give the family a hug and kiss. Tell your son that he is the man of the house and your daughters to be safe. If you can show the family the truck. Do a gear check, you know personal belongings (shaving gear, shampoo, blah blah blah). If you forget something, try to get by without it till you get back home. I am pretty sure that your wife has packed just about everything that you might need and the things that she thinks that you need.

THE BIG NO NO's
Never, ever, not even thinking about it, wasn't going to consider it, the merest thought had not yet began to speculate across your mind have an argument over the phone and just hang up the phone on the other person.
Wives:
Your man is riding a 80,000 death trap and depending on what company the he is driving for; at speeds up to 75 mph. This can distract him just enough to kill someone or himself. Is that worth losing the man that is doing his best to provide for you?
Drivers:
Your wife is doing the best she can. It is your job to see that she has no reason to be stressing out more than she has already have. You hanging up on her tells her:

1. You are not providing my needs.
2. You have little regards to all the hard work I am doing.
3. and the worst, YOU DON'T CARE

If you do want to end the phone call, be considerate by at least stating that you are going to hang up the phone.


Ok that is all for now. I am willing to help out as much as I can, and am willing to accept suggestions from other Driver's and their wives to make this driving world allot better place to live.