It’s hard to balance work and home life, especially if work takes you out on the road. If you are married and your spouse doesn’t ride with you, how do you keep your marriage strong? We won’t pretend to be marriage experts, but we have come across a few good tips to answer that question for truckers. Your marriage is important. Your job is also important. How can you give your spouse what they need without sacrificing your job to do it?
- Make a connection every day. It could be a phone call, text, video chat, etc. Make conversation happen and show interest in your spouse’s life by asking questions, listening to the answers, and then giving a response of your own. People feel valued when they are asked personal questions and get thoughtful responses. When you stop to gas up or go on break, make the most of the time and reach out. It will make a difference. https://www.thebalancesmb.com/freight-trucking-dot-hours-1361484
- Make the most of your time at home. Help your spouse out with chores, go to your kids’ activities, and sacrifice time for yourself in favor of time spent with them. We all know the cliche of the dad who’s too busy at work to make time for his family. It happens all the time in real life. Having a family and a spouse means giving them time and energy you could be spending on yourself. The choice is sometimes hard to make, but the rewards are always better.
- Learn your spouse’s love language. Everyone feels loved more in some ways than in others. Does your spouse love to get gifts? Do they love to just spend time talking about the day? Do they love it when you do the dishes or pick up the living room? You want to make what you do and say matter. Knowing how your spouse loves to be loved takes out all the guesswork. Check out this website for helpful information on love languages. https://www.5lovelanguages.com/
- Be romantic. The more you’re away from your spouse, the more creative you have to be in a romance. But that makes it more fun. Long-distance romance works best with gestures that show your spouse you spent time and energy for them, even when you couldn’t be together. That can mean a sentimental letter or email, a flower arrangement delivered to home or their workplace, or something even more creative. (see resources below)
- Talk about your spouse and kids. Bring them up in conversation. Show people their photos and tell stories about what’s going on in their lives. Did your daughter make the varsity team? Did your son start walking on his own or say his first words? Did your wife get a bonus at work or husband finish that project? Celebrating the family you love will help you feel connected to them.
Relationships are hard, but you’re not alone. There are lots of drivers who make their marriages work in spite of the odds and who have gained support, encouragement, and peace at home in the process. Romantic gestures and daily connection with your spouse while you’re away, spending time with your family whenever you can and learning their love languages, and keeping them on your mind; all of these methods will help you keep your marriage healthy and your family close.
Here are some more resources that we recommend:
https://www.getlasting.com/long-distance-relationships
https://www.podparadise.com/Podcast/1455150061
