No one is happy about me being a truck driver

[mmiikkee]

Have you guys experienced this? I don't have a wife or kids, but I have parents and siblings...

I'm going to do what I want, but it is awful to have the people that you love not support you. I understand their concerns (safety), but one cannot live life running from their shadow.

[Mackman]

I never experienced that. My family are all drivers expect for like 3 people. But my girlfriends dad hates me becuase am a (lowlife truckdriver) that what he says. I try not to let it get to me but i can see one day he will get layed out if he keeps his comments up./

[rigidsporty]

Have you guys experienced this? I don't have a wife or kids, but I have parents and siblings...

I'm going to do what I want, but it is awful to have the people that you love not support you. I understand their concerns (safety), but one cannot live life running from their shadow.

Yes I also have experienced that. My mother was totally against it (and I'm 36 years old!) but your the one that has to live your life, not them. Eventually they'll get used to the idea. Take them for a ride in the truck to show them its not much different then their car (it worked for my mother).

[golfhobo]

Have you guys experienced this? I don't have a wife or kids, but I have parents and siblings...

I'm going to do what I want, but it is awful to have the people that you love not support you. I understand their concerns (safety), but one cannot live life running from their shadow.

Do you mean "running from your OWN shadow? Or Other's?

I believe one must live life to CREATE their own shadow. My Dad is a minister, and I cannot live life well under HIS shadow.

My Dad, was very surprised when I... a genius of sorts decided to be a Trucker! He just said that he NEVER would have thought it!

Now... my older "sibling" brother and his wife have joined the fray, and are running as a team! My Dad still laughs at the "improbability" but supports us 100%!!!

Like you, I don't have an "immediate" family. But, my parents have always been closely "memo'd" on what I was doing. Notice, I didn't say "consulted."

Some parents are MORE concerned with how your life will affect THEM, than they are with how it affects YOU. Perhaps, you need to have a Man to Parents talk about WHO's life you are living!

The bottom line is.... it is YOUR life! If YOU are happy and successful, they will eventually come around [except in bizarre cases.]

Try it for awhile, even if they object. In the long run ONE of you will be proven RIGHT! You need to be prepared to be on EITHER side of that result!

[-FlyByNight-]

Darla: Alfalfa, will you swing me before we have lunch?

Alfalfa: Sure, Darla.

Spanky: Say, Romeo. What about your promise to the He-man woman haters club?

Alfalfa: I'm sorry, Spanky. I have to live my own life. :wink:

[arky]

I have the same situation. Mom is starting to come around, the rest of the family accepts it ok, but they just can't believe that I'm doing it. I have a bachelor's degree and 15 years as a tool and die maker under my belt, but I would rather drive a truck...at least for now. If at some point I decide that I don't want to drive a truck anymore, I'll do something else. It's that simple for me.

Do what makes you happy, let them figure it out. If your happy with what your doing and keeping your bills paid, they will more than likely admire you for following your dreams..at some point. But it sounds as though, they will more likely than not, doubt you every step of the way until you prove yourself one way or the other. Don't do anything just to prove a point...do it because this is what you want to do. If you find out you really don't like it, let them be right...then try something else YOU want to do. It's not a matter of who is right or wrong. It's whether YOU like the guy/girl in the mirror...or not.

Good Luck,

Arky

[Cripplecreek]

They may not be overwhelmed with joy about your career choice, but don't let be confused with the fact they stiil care about you. After all , you indicated in yuor post they maybe concerned about safety. Maybe thier not happy because they won't see you as much. If it's what you want to do, call them when your OTR and drop a postcard, let them know you are enjoying it and seeing cool places, and that your all right.

[Rookie McRookerson]

I expected that my decision to give up my 25 year career and become an otr driver would not be understood or supported by my extended family and friends.

What most didn't know was that I had been miserable at work and only stuck with it because of family responsibilities and a big mortgage. My wife would not have EVER supported me being away from home.

Well, the way things are working out, my marriage of 29 years is ending. My kids are now grown and on their own. My time is my own. I'm no longer stuck in my job.

I avoided my dad and siblings because they have a history of being very judgmental and I didn't want to hear it. Well, over the holidays I shared my plan to go to truck driving school and become an OTR truck driver. I was pleasantly surprised with their reaction. They were all supportive (at least to my face!). Nobody had a negative comment. My kids think its great that I can now do what I want to do.

Go figure!

I have learned the hard lesson that things and money don't buy happiness. I have had both.

[Carolina Reb]

Must be something about mom's. Mine does not support my decision to be a truck driver either and I'm 40 years old. I don't know if it's because i will be gone all the time,we have always been very close or, the old fashioned side of her saying you can't just leave a secure job that you've had for 18 years just to go run up and down the road,so you are not alone in your lack of support . I guess we all just have to make a decision for ourself and they will have to live with it.

[15minutes]

Go with your heart...you have to. Its your life to live, not theirs.

[movinit]

Our family thought we were nuts when we decided to go over the road. For many months they would ask us when were we giving it up and returning to local jobs that didn't involve a truck. Now several years have gone by and they no longer ask that for they have seen us become debt free with plenty of cash in the bank. We even see the shade of green from envy come over them now and then when we talk about the freedom of being debt free.

[syl77dar]

goodluck

[mmiikkee]

I've signed up for my WIA orientation to see if the state will pay fo r my CDL training. It sucks that monday was supposed to be my first day of CDL training, but a family member actually hid my birth certificate on Sunday night, so that I wouldn't be able to have proper paper work

[mapleleaf_1]

mmiikkee.....I was 43 when I decided to drive truck. I had wanted to for a long time but I was a single Mom raising 4 kids on my own. When I started I found I had all the support of my family, relatives and friends. I'm so glad I did it. Now 6 years later I'm still driving and I love the job very much. Seeing places I probably wouldn't see otherwise and people too. Do what you want, why do a job you're not happy with. Down the road you might regret not trying it. BOL Drive safe

[uglymutt]

Yes, the mom loves you don't drive syndrome. I grew up on and around trucks all my life. All my friends that are still alive drive their logging trucks everyday up and down them mountains. my mom and well my family and my wife and everyone I know did not want me to drive a truck, all think its too dangerous, I think it is all how you see yourself. My wife will divorce me if I get into a logging truck, my mom would kill me if I didn't drive off the mountain and die, so no logging trucks allowed, so I said OTR keep me gone all the time and this took time for family to adjust, it all worked out, everyone I know is proud of me for doing a great job, it will all work out for ya. Good Luck and pursue your dreams, I still dream about logging trucks, I see them everyday I am on hometime. Just can't get up into one, so I just look at them now (one day i will be a log truck driver hehehehehe)

[BigAtrukn]

I had the same problem, whole family told me not too, even though my gramps drove an my pops drives. I didnt care, went with what made me happy an im lovin it.

[Useless]

Have you guys experienced this? I don't have a wife or kids, but I have parents and siblings...

I'm going to do what I want, but it is awful to have the people that you love not support you. I understand their concerns (safety), but one cannot live life running from their shadow.

Not a difficult answer here at all!!!!

Just tell you parents and siblings to chip in and support you every month, then they can tell you what you are or are not permitted to do for a living!!!

Otherwise, they can just STHU!!!!

[Hatman]

I'm considering a career change from being a copy editor and magazine editor after being laid off. When I mentioned trucking to my wife, she said she would support me if that's what I wanted to do. That surprised me, because we are both "professionals." She's a schoolteacher and I've been in journalism/publishing for 30-plus years. Waiting to hear about a possible magazine editor's position with a newspaper, but if I don't get it, will continue to pursue trucking. Maverick says they'll call me in two to three months for school, but I may go to community college closer to home, if Maverick allows it.

This could be a big lifestyle change -- not easy, but better for us in the long run. I can always drive part time when I retire. Don't think I can manage magazines part time and make the same amount of money.

The more I read about trucking, professionalism is a must to succeed and do well.

[gooser]

Who cares I had the same problem with my family, most people look at dollar signs or there blinded by social status. Which one I haven't figured out yet. I come from a union family growing up in New York.. So I got in right out of highschool and all I saw was dollar signs $30 $40 $45 an hr woohoo this is great making money. A couple years later I looked at myself and said this sucks. I'm out here freezing in the winter, sweating in the summer and I don't even like it! I realized I was never happy with myself doing this, my life was based on going through the motions. Needless to say the only time i'll ever touch another peice of steel or an arc is if it's on my truck. Money isn't everything, bottom line is if it makes you happy do it before it's too late. I've read alot of stories on here like mine.. Just don't tell them off explain your reasons for your decisions if they're valid then they will def. understand.

[rigidsporty]

I've signed up for my WIA orientation to see if the state will pay fo r my CDL training. It sucks that monday was supposed to be my first day of CDL training, but a family member actually hid my birth certificate on Sunday night, so that I wouldn't be able to have proper paper work

Thats wrong in soooooo many ways. Kin or not... I'd have someones ass over that!!