James hugged our son tightly, gently kissing him on his head.
"Bye Junior."
"Bu-bye Dada" Junior replied and waved excitedly.
He then came over the to me and we both just looked at each other.
"I guess it's time again." I said.
"Yup"
James leaned forward and wrapped his arms around me.
"Dammit, I am not going to cry," I said as my voice started to waiver.
He laughs, "Awww...don't cry. I'll be back soon," and he wiped a tear away from my eye and kissed me again pulling me in closer.
He then climbed into his truck, started the motor and drove away. Again.
Whether you are married to, living with or dating a truck driver this is a scene that happens fairly often amongst trucking families. I have not covered this topic before because it is hard for me to cover it objectively, but here goes.
Truckers typically spend a lot of time away from their families while they are driving. This amount of time can; depending on what type of driving they do, last anywhere between 2 weeks up until 4 months. After so long they will often come home to take a short break, get some rest, do some laundry, eat some real food and spend time with their families.
All families react differently during this time:
What do you do when he comes home?
What do you do before he leaves?
Men are often quite helpless at taking care of themselves, especially if they have been in a relationship for awhile. Much like how we as women need them to mow the lawns, cut branches, tighten the plumbing and fix furniture when they get home; they need us to clean their fridges/coolers, sweep and mop their truck floor properly (they can do it, but never as well as a women can).
What do you do after he leaves?
The first night or afternoon is always the hardest.
Whatever you do, do what works for you.
Remember:
Stay positive (cliche!), keep moving forward, get done what needs to get done, keep praying and never give up faith that he will always come home to you.
Truckers typically spend a lot of time away from their families while they are driving. This amount of time can; depending on what type of driving they do, last anywhere between 2 weeks up until 4 months. After so long they will often come home to take a short break, get some rest, do some laundry, eat some real food and spend time with their families.
All families react differently during this time:
- Some welcome their truckers and attempt to make the time a family vacation;
- Some welcome their trucker and attempt to have them fit back into their lives;
- Some dislike the inconvenience of having to fit another person into their daily routines;
- Some dislike the fact that their regular paycheck has decided to take a break (I don't like these people and I don't ever want to meet one, but I know they are out there).
What do you do when he comes home?
- I try to welcome my trucker home, because I want him to feel like he can come home as often as he wants to. I want him to be able to relax and feel loved when he comes in and not have to worry about my ability to handle things when he is gone.
- I set him a few small tasks when he is in so that he feels like he's an important part of the family. If he doesn't do them then I quietly get them done or leave them until next time.
- I take a look at my schedule and eliminate all things, but the most important.
- I try to take some time off work if possible.
- I look at and arrange opportunities for baby sitters before he comes in so that we can spend time together as couple.
- Prepare for some extra loads of laundry and dishes.
What do you do before he leaves?
Men are often quite helpless at taking care of themselves, especially if they have been in a relationship for awhile. Much like how we as women need them to mow the lawns, cut branches, tighten the plumbing and fix furniture when they get home; they need us to clean their fridges/coolers, sweep and mop their truck floor properly (they can do it, but never as well as a women can).
- I often inspect the truck to make sure I have all of his laundry and dishes.
- I clean the food out of his fridge and then clean it.
- I wash his sheets and pillow cases.
- I wash his dishes.
- Sweep and mop the floor.
- Decorate his trucks wall with new photos or decorate if its Christmas.
What do you do after he leaves?
The first night or afternoon is always the hardest.
- First of all I try and find an opportunity to have a good cry whether its just outside our home so the little one doesn't notice or by taking the long way home (I really hate that song...); for me that cry is important to have. It sets me right again and allows me to move forward.
- Going to a friends house (or family).
- Fast food is usually a good idea for that first night.
- Watching a movie or television
- A hot shower
- Chocolate and wine
- Getting all the work done that piled up (if none of the previous worked)
- Staying up really late or going to bed early
- Cleaning the house (the hard way)
- Playing my music really loud.
- Exercise
- Going to sleep with the radio on again (because my husband makes me turn it off when he's at home).
Whatever you do, do what works for you.
Remember:
Stay positive (cliche!), keep moving forward, get done what needs to get done, keep praying and never give up faith that he will always come home to you.