How to deal with life on the road?

If it was to bad for my family, I would quit my Trucking Job and work near home. Each and every person is a different situation.

 

A cell phone plan with free mobile to mobile helps. Lots of communication with no long distance charges. At times that can be a headache (my kids are teenagers), but it's worth it.

 

The number one thing that you need to ask yourself is whether or not your wife is on board with this. Having a supportive spouse will make or break the situation. How old are your children? Are you prepared to be away from them and miss all their firsts? Some dads are very hands on with their kids, others tend to leave the childrearing to their wives. If you are a hands-on dad, no amount of money is worth missing out on your children. Are you and your wife prepared to be apart for more than just 4 or 5 days at a time?

 

dont have any kids myself, but ill put in my .02 if you dont mind,
i do understand your concern about being away from home for an extended period of time, however, if you are new to this, never drove before and zero driving exp, you need to look at the realistic side of truckin, 4-5 days with zero exp is more then likly out of the question right now as our country is not in the best shape, and most Over the road companies have a hirring freez in place, and the chances of you getting a local job or a reginal job are slim to none with quilified drivers out their who have the exp to do such jobs, on a realistic side you will more then likely be out for at least 2-3 weeks at a time as a new drivers, i hate when schools and trucking companies tell you " youll be home all the time"
its just not that cut and dry, and it also depends on where you live as well, if you live in major shipping lanes yes, you can look forward to being home more often, if you live way out in the sticks, or way away from the shipping lanes, look to be out for longer periods of times.

 

Dude, with a child that young, I would stay home. It takes a lot of trust and dedication to a relationship to make it work. You and your wife will be stressed, and tested in ways that you may not be familiar with. If you can endure those challenges, here is something else to think about.
Not being there when:
He takes his first steps, needs dad to get the boogieman from underneath the bed, first day of school, rides a bike for the first time, hits his first baseball. I think you get the idea.
You give up a lot being on the road. Things that money just can't buy. Moments in time that can't be replaced. All of that will be missed while you're out making money for a company that will flush you down the toilet in a heartbeat if they had to.
Stay home, raise your family, trust in God. You'll be alright.

 

I know families that parents worked regular jobs,home everyday,and the whole family was disfunctional.I also know families,mine included,that dad being gone 4 nights a week is all the kids ever new,and they,we,have a great home life and raised good kids.So dont get hung up on what u miss,enjoy the times u r there.It's not the amount of time,it's the quality of the time.And one day they will be grown and realize the sacrafices mom and dad made to have a nice lifestyle.Our son is 20,daughters 16,and 6.Daddy is just a phone call away.Love the cell phone.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself, You could also run regional or over the road for 1 or 2 years and then try and get a local job, don't listen to people who tell you there aren't any local jobs because there are but you have to keep your record clean, there is always a way to make things work if you really want it. Good luck and stay positive and focused.

 

I like this post.

Times are hard nowadays. Truckers arent the only ones required to travel and be away from their families for extended periods of time. Construction workers, consultants, the oilfield guys...etc...now have to support their families while being away for weeks at a time. Your wife is the key. If she's always crying, youre not going to make it. If she cant manage money, youre not going to make it. If she cant handle the kids, youre not going to make it.

A buddy of mine is dating a girl that has 2 kids from a previous marriage. The kids are 6 and 10. The grandparents from the ex-hub are involved in the kids lives. Their father is not. My buddy is going to ask this girl to marry him.
My buddy and the kids get along well. Of course, Grandma feels threatened. I told my buddy not to interfere with Grandma and the kids and allow that relationship to flourish. HOWEVER, "make it clear to all parties involved (the wife, the kids, the gramps) that YOU will not tolerate any disrespect to your wife from anything that breathes the air." Thats the rule of the house.
1. If the wife and the gramps have to argue, they have to do it at the gramps house.
2. The kids must know that they cant live in your house and disrespect the woman of the house, even if she's mom.
3. No matter what goes on in the world, there will be peace and order at your house.

I feel the same rules should apply for families who have a dad that has to travel and be away. Draw this line in the sand and do not back down. Whatever they do on the other side of the line, dont worry about it. If they cross the line, you snap them back(the wife, the kids, the gramps, the wife's stupid friend) every time, without fail.
And when you get home, you reward the family. You wont be going home to rest, you will be going home to reward the family.