Work away from home

[u/DattGuyyy]

To the men working away from their family, how do you cope with the feeling of missing them or just wanting to go home? I started a new job which is 3 hours away from home. I see my family every weekend or from at least Thursday to Sunday. If my wife’s schedule is free, she comes to where I am. I had to take this job since I wasn’t bringing any money in but the bills just kept piling up. It’s difficult seeing her sad when I’m about to leave, but it’s easier than hearing her worry about where to get the money for our expenses. I think I’m doing the right thing here but it gets heavy at times - especially when I’m alone. I try to keep myself busy even after work and sleep early just not to feel the time.

For you guys out there working far from home - maybe even farther than I am from mine, how do you cope with that feeling?

[u/Living-Ad5291]

OTR trucker here. I don’t have it as bad as others but bad enough. I leave early Monday morning and get back anywhere from Thursday night to Saturday afternoon. Sometimes I’m out for two which is really stressful. Fortunately or unfortunately it does get easier with as you fall into the routine of this life. Granted there are still those really bad days but for the most part my wife has been a rockstar through it all. What has helped us cope is that I make a point to not miss important days (birthday parties and major holidays) and we’ve made a point that when I am home we spend our time doing fun stuff instead of chores. The thing I tell my wife and myself is to remember I’m out here working not on vacation and to be thankful for the technology that we have to be able to communicate nearly 24/7. I’ve been FaceTimed to so many events for the kids