how to help a homesick Daddy

FaceTime. Helps me and mine get through it.

 

Hi candee, like others have said, it's a whole different story now. Years ago, no cell phones or skype, goodbye was just that, but I made sure my kids knew what I was doing, and I was doing this because I loved them, and I'll be back soon( never was a long distance OTR, but still odd, long hours and missed a lot) Eventually led to my divorce, as the ex couldn't handle it any longer. One thing you could do, is keep an eye(or ear)open for a local job for him, as it's extremely difficult to look for work and drive OTR. Hang in there.

 

Hi candee, generally most truckers are the coolest people, with a few exceptions(you know who you are)(just kidding) because we're all in this together. By all means , keep it together, remember, he's not goofing off, and doesn't need added pressure, and just think of when he does get home again, WOOHOO!!:smt008

 

Oh, make no mistake, there is PLENTY of drama around here. You just have to know where to look.

 

My wife at first was really upset with me being gone but when I would tell her I was coming home, she would plan on my home coming and the kids would be there waiting at the door. She made a big deal of it.

A couple years passed, she was still sort of upset, the kids would be glad to see me home and then we would sort of return to being a family. They were all interested in where I went to, what I hauled and if I brought them anything back.

A few years later my wife was not upset at all, the kids would say "HI" as they played their games and then I was handed a list of things to do or get fixed.

Now they can't wait until I get back on the road, I have my wife doing things she doesn't like to do - laundry twice a week because I come home with dirty clothes - and the kids who hate to cut the lawn are out there right now cutting our lawn and helping with the neighbors.

I learned a few things.

First not to make a big deal over it, everyone gets upset and the more normal it is for them to come and go, the easier it is on everyone.

Second I always had a camera with me so I could take pictures of things like the pumpkin truck that smashed into the FedEx truck at the start of a row of trucks while the driver was trying to manoeuvre into a spot at the end of the row or the thousand geese that came in for a landing while I was in New York state on a cold winter day.

Third is that facetime and skpe help, just a phone call helps too. I told my wife when she goes to work, call me when she got there to tell me she was alright. She hated to do that because she thought I would be sleeping at 6am, but I didn't care.

Kids are easy to deal with, when you get home, plan on some event, zoo, race or what ever. KEEP that date no matter what. Dogs are a different story, you can't do much about that.

 

Little notes here and there can make a world of difference.Im not married but I do have a man ive been with over 2 yrs.Might as well call us married we act like it'He does call me his wife though.Anyway he use to always leave me notes in my car,windshield,lunches and every now and again a beautiful card.There ya go along with notes buy a card and while hes gone get your picture taken along with the kids and put it in the card.That would mean the world to him.

 

What really sucks is like yesterday when my little one was sick or a year ago when My oldest had to have emergency surgery and I was broke down in Buffalo, NY. That #### is hard to deal with.

 

Yes. It only makes it worse IMO. No fun going down the road crying. If you and the kids appear to be in a good mood then it's easier. Makes it seem like the sacrifice is worth it.