Hello from IL everyone!

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Hello, cyphersgirl, and welcome to the world of trucking!

I really don't know how much help I can be to you, because I am on the truck with my hubby.

I do have a question(or 2, or more! LOL) for you, though...
Do you work outside the home?
If so, can your family get by without your income?(the reason for this question will become clear in a bit..I promise!)
Does the company your husband is working for have a rider policy?
And,if so... (drum roll please!)....would you feel comfortable taking your babies on the road with your hubby?

My brother in law is a truck driver, and he & his wife traveled together until she became pregnant with their 3rd child. I truly don't know all the details on HOW they did this, or what problems they encountered with 2 adults, and 2 little ones on the truck...
I just know that they DID, and all were quite happy.

I realize that this is probably atypical, but it can be done, if that is an option you may want to consider.

Other than that, please know that there are many women on this site that stay at home with the family, while hubby is OTR, and they will be very helpful to you, as well as those of us who are OTR with our hubbies/SO's.

Judi Kay

 

Welcome, glad you stumbled in. It's probably gonna be really tough at first until you get into the routine. I know when my other half was OTR it was hard. I couldn't fall asleep without him. You do at least have your babies so that might help. I agree with Simplyred, I've seen many people doing just that. I don't know how it would work either but if may be worth checking into, although if he's new to trucking (no experience) his company may have a waiting period before he could bring a rider.... I dunno.
Good luck with everything and somebody's always here to cry with or laugh with (or at, hehe).

 

Hi Heather and welcome to chaos!

There's a lot of us here whose hubbies are OTR, and are used to being 'home alone', so you came to the right place!
A lot will depend on the job he gets, in terms of how often he gets home, and the money he makes. So I guess its difficult to prepare right now for what is still basically 'unknown' territory.

Your girls will keep you busy I'm sure, maybe get a good laminated map and put it up so you can see where daddy is, and where he's heading. Draw routes with felt pens, then wash them off each load he delivers!
And a good cellphone is essential, maybe look at verizon if he doens't already have a phone. A laptop computer would be great as well, he can email from truckstops and send pics, and you can send pics of the girls to him too. :smt024 Have him check out loyalty schemes for using wifi at truckstops.

I guess I would also suggest making sure you are confident running the home alone. Know where to shut off the water, and electric, for example, and learn some basics about your car if you have one.

And check out the rider policy of whichever company he works for. Many allow spouse and kids over 16, but its not standard, so be sure to read it properly.

Have a supply of chocolate ready for the bad days, and stay in contact with folk here. Many trucker wives arel in the same 'home alone' situation, and we all get bad days, thats why this forum works because we encourage each other!

That's all I can think of for now, I'm off to paint the bathroom.

Oh yes, did i mention that being home alone you develop a compulsion to repaint rooms. Its true, ask any of us!
Home Depot will become your second home, and you will get to know all the staff by name. Hubby will soon get used to finding rooms different colors each time he comes home.

Mrs T

 

Hi Heather and welcome to the forum! I'm like Judi and on the truck (heh I drive) so I may not be able to help with some of your situations. However, I'm more than happy to pitch in my 2 cents anytime.

Take a look at the Ladies Room forum and jump in on any forum that interests you. Also the men on here are really helpful with ideas too.

 

New to the forum, but have been living the trucking lifestyle (non driving wife) in some form for the past 20 yrs. Got 2 kids, now 21 and 16, raised pretty much with Dad on the road. Both are pretty levelheaded and well adjusted (did I just say that ?! LOL!)

What has helped, me anyway, was that I have worked in the business as well. The last 8 yrs we have had our own trucking biz, very small one. The first yr D/H was home 24 out of 365 days that year and they were all pretty much at the holidays. How we ever managed w/out cells?! But we did.

In recent years, I've been a member of trucking support groups. Sadly MSN closed down their groups last yr. Then I found this one and it has been so informative, so much more than the last. I think you'll find alot of what you need here, I haveand sure hope to make friends as well. Good luck and see ya 'round.

 

Hi Heather Welcome! Im a truckers wife also, and let me tell you it is a lifestyle. But I was already used to my hubby being gone all the time from when he was in the Navy. Its kinda the same, I hated to see him go at 1st. Then it changed lol, I couldnt wait for him to go out, But, then after a cpl days, I cant wait for him to get back home. I suggest, you go out with him on a run. You will probably have to have someone keep the kids for you though, As companies wont allow small children on the truck. He will have like a 6 week waiting period to take you also. (Insurance policy) But all in all, its a good living, if he keeps rollin. Our company, we go out 3-4 weeks, and then home for a few days. Also, keep in mind, Its very expensive out here. So, I suggest he gets a little fridge at wal-mart and stock it up with drinks, lunch meat etc. He will also need an invertor at least 1500 watts. Dont be afraid to ask anyone here for advice, these are wonderful people here.