Tips for a Trucker's Wife

Things to remember...It will help you and the relationship for you to take a few trips out on the road if you can with your significant other. Most companies will allow a rider.

There are just somethings that is hard to understand unless you have been out on the road. Plus the driver may not even think to explain somethings because to him it is natural and makes sense, but to you it's ridiculous. That in and of it's self is a problem that can grow and grow because it creates all types of doubt.

The more shaky your relationship is before the trucking lifestyle change, the more important it is to nurture your relation constantly. Don't be hesitant about reading, listening to relationship materials, or seeing a relationship coach when have issues that you can't solve.

Answer - In a discussion with him, establish minimum communications rules together based on what makes each of you comfortable, secure, confident or just feel good about the relationship. Keep in touch often.(Be intentional about it, don't expect it to happen.)

Answer - Have a discussion about the common health problems that truckers develop. Diabetes, obesity, joint pain, sleep apnea, etc. Talk of how you want him around for a long time and healthy as possible. Encourage healthier habits from the beginning, including getting exercise. Do what you can to play a part in that like maybe prepare healthy snacks and food to take on the road and exercise also.

Answer - You can't directly, especially while he is a new driver. However, encourage him to run legal as possible and keep his record clean so if the company does not send him home within a reasonable amount of time, after a year of experience he can go to a better company that will.

Answer - Don't take his interest in you or attraction to you for granted. Let him see you looking good most of the times when he comes home. Smell good, smile, be sweet for a honey moon period of time upon his arrival before the serious discussions about problems that need to be dealt with.

Also, don't look the same or do the same routine every time he comes home. Switch it up a little. Change your hairstyles, the type of clothing, the perfume. Even if he says you don't have too, which many good men will do to keep you from going out of your way, DO IT!

Make him feel like he is your hero. Trust me, he will treat you like a queen. (ummh, if you got a good man)

By the way, I AM NOT not saying never complain or to be a doormat. I am saying don't be the opposite. Always nagging, complaining, etc

Answer - Do a budget. Make plans together about how to cut expenses at home and on the road. Both must commit and name the reasons why you are doing this.

Also make career plans. Specialized hauling pays more. Talk about graduating from dry van after getting experience into something like heavy hauling to tap into a higher salary bracket.

You could also work on making extra money on the road and at home to supplement income.

Answer - Join groups, take classes, even get trained in something that can assist in making more money in trucking like take a freight brokering training course or learn about pilot car driving so you can go with him if you guys decide on pursuing heavy haul.