to take the kids, that is. On the road. Let them experience, first hand, what life on the road is truly all about. What do you do at night daddy? Do you really sleep in the truck? Where do you go potty? Are you afraid of the dark? Do you ever hear bats or see bears? What if you want a drink of water? What is a truck stop, really? Do you miss mommy? Why can’t you come to my soccer game? Who do you talk to when you’re not home? Do you get lonely, like we do? Why can’t you stay home longer? Do you think about us when you’re gone? What happens if I get sick, will you come home?
These are only some of the questions that kids ask. I actually heard one little girl ask her trucker father if he had any girlfriends on the road? One young boy asked if had another family he loves more when he is away. Another youngster asked when he will be old enough to go on the road with his father. Kids ask why they have to go to school and not live with mommy or daddy on the road. Daddy, where you do go all the time? How come I never see you pull anything behind your truck? What happens if you get sick? Why do you take Rover? Why can’t he stay with us? Is mommy going to leave us like you do?
One of the best decisions my wife and I made was to let my son go on the road with me. We considered my taking him full-time. I was seriously thinking about home schooling him. I always felt he learned more with me than at any time during his public school education. More important than algebra and science, he learned social skills that have made him the outgoing highly personable young man he is today. You don’t learn essential life skills in school – how to do manage money, write a check, interface with other people in stressful situations, how to problem solve and read a map. Book learning is one thing, it can get you into college, but a kid being with his mom or dad on the road in the truck – that experience – cannot be taught in any classroom.
My son was my navigator. He fueled the truck. I taught him how to handle money and credit. He learned to to tip a waitress. He helped with deal with customers and assisted in securing loads. I hauled cars, trucks and van for a time – he assisted me drive ‘em on and off the trailer. I taught him how to handle paperwork and bills of lading. We drove from coast to coast, from Texas to Canada, from Key West to Seattle – in all kinds of weather.
And boy oh boy, did we rough it. We broke down, had flats and slept in a bunk way too small for the both of us. The dog we now have at home, was a rescue that my son and I “schwooped” up one morning, having breakfast at a small Shell gas station/truck stop in Hattiesburg, MS. We had many great meals together in restaurants, diners and “little” places right off the highway together. We always had plenty to talk about. The waitresses always treated us special and made sure we got the best deal for the limited resources we had. My son learned how to treat everyone, despite their background, culture or religion with respect. That was not the case with the other kids back home, where drugs and prejudice was common in schools.
I can write a book about these experiences. One of the saddest days is when I pulled away from home and he wasn’t with me. I’d see other drivers with their sons or daughters and I just had to look the other way. Talking on the phone just wasn’t the same. My job was harder because my #1 assistant wasn’t there. My son also taught ME a lot of things. I missed his creativity, his sense of humor and my knowing he was always safe in the bunk sleeping. Those were great times.
It’s August and school is starting up soon. There still is time to take your son or daughter with you for a few weeks. You will never regret or forget it.
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