Otr and having small kids

You do video chats with him during the week?

 

He's just showing off for you, and showing how much he loves the attention from you. Be careful, if you punish him for misbehavior during this. The punishment could end up making him associate the punishment to be that you don't want him. Like Mark said video chats. Maybe get a map for him, so he and mom can follow along, and possibly have he and mom look up interesting facts about your next destination.

 

When I was married, it was the opposite with the boy. I was the only one to make him actually behave, so I was the disciplinarian at home on weekends.
Personally, I would be firm and stern with him, letting him know that acting out will only get him negative attention. By no means do I claim to be daddy of the year, either. I come from a no-BS policy upbringing, tho.

 

Maybe he's acting out because he knows you'll be gone again soon? My parents got divorced when I was 5 or 6 and I saw my dad only once or twice a year and would dread him leaving.

 

No one should be forced to be away from their family for extended periods of time just to make a slave wage.

I couldn't handle the living out of the truck with just a fiance (now wife) at home. I couldn't imagine putting kids into that. Much respect to those who can do it, and succeed at it.

 

No one is forced to be a truck driver. It is a choice.

 

My GF and I enjoy the time apart, and even moreso the time together. Then again, her dad has been a driver since before she was born. Her mom has been in the military since before she was born, too. Then she served 6 years herself, with a tour in Afghanistan. I've been Guard for 14 years, so we both knew all too well what we were both getting into. It works for us, far better than for most people.

 

I did go through this same thing when I first started driving. I had at that time, a 1 yr old and a 6 yr old. My wife and I were used to the time apart due to my military deployments before getting out. Putting things into a civilian sense where i dont have to worry about getting my ### shot at (well at least unless I went to chicago, detroit, philly and atlanta...lol) most the time.

This is what drove me to go local and now am working LTL getting paid by the hour. I just gave in and realized a bit of loss on the income was worth being home every night, sleeping in my same bed with my wife and seeing my kids. The biggest part is actually being able to be a part of their life other than through a phone....

It just depends on what you think you and your life can handle......