Calling all drivers with a family....

[anthony1995]

I was just wondering how you, your wife and kids handle your choice of profession? Especially you OTR guys that out for 1-3 weeks at a time. Has your marriage suffered or improved? I was just curious. I think my wife would have issues with it..Thanks.

[DaveP]

I was just wondering how you, your wife and kids handle your choice of profession? Especially you OTR guys that out for 1-3 weeks at a time. Has your marriage suffered or improved? I was just curious. I think my wife would have issues with it..Thanks.

Hi There Anthony!!!

Wondered whatever happened with you.

My better half thinks its great because I'm never home and my check is in the mailbox every Monday just like clockwork.

I think it's great because I suckered HER into walking to the mailbox instead of me... :wink:

[Colts Fan]

IMHO, it depends on many factors. The age of your family is an important one. It will be harder if you have young children or a new marriage. Communication with your spouse is important. Can she handle all of the responsibilities of home by herself (kids, finances, upkeep, etc.)? Can your spouse handle the lonliness? Can you handle the lonliness? What kind of support system does your spouse have at home?

Their are a lot of guys on here who have great home lives despite being OTR. I think most of the folks that are happy with it though have older kids that are already raised. However, it is not for everyone. Most drivers will tell you that driving OTR is not conducive to raising a family or family life in general. BOL.

[madii'swife]

I was just wondering how you, your wife and kids handle your choice of profession? Especially you OTR guys that out for 1-3 weeks at a time. Has your marriage suffered or improved? I was just curious. I think my wife would have issues with it..Thanks.

I'll be honest and say it has its ups and downs. I'm not sure I'd want to look at him being OTR for the rest of our lives. However, our marriage has improved significantly, as we actually communicate MORE than we used to via the cell phones.
I have days (especially if there's something special going on) where I'd like to see him home more, and days where I really enjoy not having him here all the time, it really just depends. As far as our marriage goes, it works out very well.
Now, the main reason I say I don't want him OTR the rest of our lives is because I do have small children. My youngest will be 3 Sunday, and still has trouble sometimes adjusting to Daddy in and out. My oldest deals fairly well with it (she's 8 1/2), but she can do more talking on the phone with him as well.
I do think support at home makes a big difference. I have family and a wonderful church here, so that really helps the loneliness.

BTW, hubby is long-haul for TMC so gone 11-12 days usually, sometimes is home more frequently.

[inmate1577]

I dont know, let me ask her when she gets back from her cruise to Mexico.

[okie]

My better half thinks its great because I'm never home and my check is in the mailbox every Monday just like clockwork.

I dont know, let me ask her when she gets back from her cruise to Mexico.
Same here on both of those

[okie]

My better half thinks its great because I'm never home and my check is in the mailbox every Monday just like clockwork.

I dont know, let me ask her when she gets back from her cruise to Mexico.
Same here on both of those

[okie]

ok, have not got this quote thing down yet.

[RebelDarlin]

there's an excellent post about this here...


http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/...ic.php?t=29448

[Evinrude]

Since otr job,I can only talk to wife through her lawyer now.

[inmate1577]

My better half thinks its great because I'm never home and my check is in the mailbox every Monday just like clockwork.

I dont know, let me ask her when she gets back from her cruise to Mexico.
Same here on both of those

Mine went to Cozumel...
via Mobile, Ala.

[Mattangcobra]

Mine was kinda like the song papa loved momma (Garth Brooks)

Without the whole driving my truck up her cheating a## part. lol. Anyway shes gone

[Trukrswyfe]

Anthony,

If your relationship is solid before it can go through anything but if it has issues they can be difficult to deal with while on the road. All I know is it can be done and done successfully but all relationships you value either with a spouse or a child require attention and time. If you value them then they are worth the sacrifices you will have to make.

My husband is gone a lot but when he comes home he makes a point to spend special time with each person alone and as a family. I guard my marriage and protect it with my life, I would rather die then trash the people I love or neglect their needs.

Best wishes

Trukrswfe

[BanditsCousin]

I was brought up with my Dadf always on the road . I guess I accepted it better than others would. We always did vacations and he sent me a postcard every other day,

[okie]

1)I will ask my wife when she gets back from her cruise.
2)I will ask her when she gets home from shopping with the money left over from trucking pay check after paying bills and putting some in savings and college fund.
3)Wants to drive the new van we were able to buy to Galveston for the cruise.
4) Choose a good company (Crete) and kids can ride with you at an earlier an age than most companies.

[dollarshort]

Most people that have a family that loves them will not stay out for more than a week at a time.
The ones that stay out longer are usually trying to get away from their life at home.

[ajxsc]

North Alabama is a good place to come home to.

anyway back too the original question (if you cant remember scroll up way up)

Dont let it get in your blood.. meaning dont let her get used to you being gone, or the paycheck in the mail. as long as you find excuses to stay gone and be a driver she will find excuses to help you stay gone.

For example, one time I was really considering getting out. I really wanted to find something else and the job I was looking at paid alto less. After looking at the upcoming bills with my wife I found myself sitting listening to my her ask me if there was anyway my company would give me any extra miles over the weekends.....I said to myself right then"self she wants you to leave even longer from home".

Now she is no bitch she dint even realizer what she was saying it just came out natural.
she does not always think like that it is just what this lifestyle has made us think.

SoooOOO..... do you want to be remembered as a man who loved his family and provided for them or do you want to be remembered as a man who was always around for them..
no matter what these guys here tell ya.......it ain't gonna be both.. so pick one or the other.

my choice is they will remember me more for what I gave them and the little time I was around. NOT for being around more and always being broke.
IT IS UP TO you?

also you will find lots of people here giving advise to over the road drivers who go home every night so pick the post you read (even mine) carefully

[mbadriver]

Since otr job,I can only talk to wife through her lawyer now.

You do know why divorces cost so much?