1 - I miss him so much - How do you deal with him being gone all the time?

I believe the #1 thing to do is too keep yourself busy, busy, busy. It's alot harder on you when you just sit and worry about them. Use this time alone to your advantage. Get a part-time job, do some volunteer work, go back to school, start a new hobby. Anything to keep your mind off of being alone.

You will become more independent and that will make you and your trucker very proud.

2 - I've become independent and am learning to deal with things around the house. But now my trucker doesn't think that we need him anymore. What can I do to show him we still love him and need him?

The male ego - sheesh! On one hand, they need you to do things because they are not there, but on the other hand, they don't want you taking over their role completely.

One thing I always would do is make sure to leave a few things around the house for him to do. Never nagged, but let them know it's something you weren't able to fix. Make them feel like your hero

I used to also put little notes in various places in his truck while he was home. Especially his shower bag when I was packing it. So he gets little surprise smiles and I loves you's while he's gone.

3 - The kids are really missing Dad. What can I do to help them not miss him so much?

It's important that the kids understand that daddy didn't just up and leave them. He's supporting them and just has to be away from home to do so.

Buy a large US map and put it on the wall in their room and let them follow daddy on his trips. Let them help plan his trip with him when he gets a new one. This will help them with their US geography as well.

Have daddy buy them a small trinket from the different places he goes. If money is an issue right now, have him get a rock or leaf or something with a name on it like a napkin, just something that shows where he's been and that he was thinking of them.

4 - My trucker is so grumpy when he gets home! What is wrong with him?

Oh the stresses of being on the road. There is so much they deal with. Driving is a very stressful job. Between fighting traffic and fighting with dispatchers, to worrying about money and worrying about family, listening to all the horror stories, driving in the snow and ice . . . well, it can really stress you out. And even though you've been waiting for him to get home so you can go out, that's the last thing he wants to do! All he wants is do veg out on the couch with his remote and just chill with no one bothering him for a while.

Does this mean he doesn't love you anymore? Of course not! But he needs time to "detox" from the road. Their is what I like to call a "truckers high" while they are out there. All that is on their mind is getting that load there and picking up the next one. GO, GO, GO! Gotta get it done! They've got to come out of that phase so they can function.

So when he walks in the door, be there to greet him. Sit him down and give him something to drink. Let him tell you all about what's been happening to him while he's been gone. Listen to his stories. Let him unwind. He'll see that you respect him and are interested and that helps him to calm down and be less grumpy towards everyone.

5 - Is there anything good about being a truckers wife?

There are so many good things. There are the obvious ones: not having to share the remote, getting the bed and all the covers to yourself, not having to cook big dinners all the time, less laundry, more time to do things that you enjoy.

Then there are things that aren't so obvious at first, but you'll start to see develop. You start to feel like you did when you were first dating. That gushy, "in love" feeling. It's like it's a honeymoon everytime he comes home. Just hearing his voice will send a shiver down your spine. Lots of cuddling and hand holding everywhere you go. Feeling like you just can't get enough of them.

And then, they leave. And as you watch that truck go down the road, your eyes fill up with tears. But they are not just sad tears, they are proud tears. And your heart almost hurts because it is so swelled with pride for him. And you know that that pride and your love for him will see you through until he's back in your arms.

Have a Question for our truckers wife? E-mail askawife@marriedtoatrucker.com