Are you looking forward to the holidays or dreading another family dinner filled with stress? If it’s the second, you are not alone. Many people dread the holidays due to the stress of interacting with family and all the accompanying drama, hurt feelings, and anger that can result when families get together.
Having people with different personalities and backgrounds in the same room is often frustrating. People tend to hold on to grudges and resentments for years, a situation in which not everyone is going to have a wonderful holiday. However, you don’t have to succumb to the stress and conflicts around you. Here are a few tips to help make this holiday more enjoyable:
• Prior to the event, make a mental list of who is going to be present. Then determine what topics may be off limits or how you will respond to other people. Being prepared helps defuse tense situations. Try to have a sense of humor and remember what you love about each person.
• Remember there will always be leftovers! Don’t treat the meal as an all-you-can-eat buffet that you must consume in one sitting.
• Greet everyone with a hug and a “nice to see you.” Start the day on a good note and keep your comments positive and in the moment.
• Everyone’s favorite subject is themselves, so take time to ask them questions about their favorite subject. Put the focus on the other individual and you will come across as a wonderful person.
• Spend time with the children. Ask about their hobbies and interests and spend some time playing with them.
• Rick Warren said, “You can only win friends to Christ. You can’t reach your enemies.” Make friends with your family; you might just find out that you really like them.
• Focus on the value of the other people around you. You may not approve of their lifestyle and decisions, but you can always value them personally.
• If seeing family causes you too much stress, you can always say no. Spend time with your spouse and kids or with good friends.
And always remember: if the stress of the holidays is too much to bear, log on to www.DriversWellness.com and click on the link to Lighthouse Network. Trained counselors are available to help you manage the stress.
For more help, see your doctor or check out our Resources Partners when you click this link or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care. Further, it is not intended to be a substitute for physician’s advice. Always see the advice of a licensed physician concerning any question you have regarding any content obtained from this blog and any medical condition you believe may be relevant to you or someone else. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet, or fitness program.
Driver, are you going to be home today or on the road? No matter where you’ll be, you still have the opportunity to express your love to your spouse and family. How about giving each family member a small gift to let them know you are thinking of them? When my kids were still living at home I gave each child a box of candy. They truly enjoyed them so much. Sometimes, we get so busy with the task at hand that we forget to let our loved ones know how much they mean to us. Make a special effort to contact them today and tell them that you care. Let’s make it a special day for your loved ones. You’ll be glad you did. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Reaching your family while out on the road has certainly gotten easier hasn’t it? Years ago, drivers would have to make a stop, hope to find a payphone and call his family only to learn that they were not at home. It was very hard to communicate and it was very frustrating. Now, we have cell phones, email, instant messaging, texting and many other very convenient ways to communicate. But is that what communication is all about? Is it just being able to reach someone? What do you say when you talk to your wife or kids? Is it all about you or all about them? Do you spend time listening and sharing? The way you communicate is much more important than just being able to reach them. However and how often you talk to your family, be sure to use words that are encouraging. I know it’s hard for you being out on the road. But don’t forget, it’s also hard for them at home. Don’t make it more difficult by using words that tear them down. Start building up your family with encouraging words today. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Back in the 70’s, there was an animated TV show called “Wait Till Your Father Gets Home” which revolved around the Boyle family. The show’s theme song opened like this:
“I love my Mom and Dad and my brothers too
And the groovy way we get along
But every time the slightest little thing goes wrong
Mom starts to sing this familiar song:
Wait ‘til your father gets, until your father gets,
Wait ‘til your father gets home.”
Isn’t’ that a familiar concept with truck drivers and their families? The discipline of children is very difficult while out on the road. Don’t get me wrong. It still needs to take place. After all, who wants their kids to struggle with self-control, anger or a lack of respect for others when they grow up? We don’t want our kids to think there are no consequences in life or learn to be demanding and self-centered do we? No, we all want our children to grow up and be responsible. Who is going to discipline them? Is it up to Dad or Mom? How can this get done in a trucker’s family?Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
“Easy” Eddie’s lawyer skills kept Al Capone out of jail and living the high life. He didn’t so much care about the atrocities happening around him, but Eddie wanted to give his son a good name. He ‘fessed up to the authorities and Capone went to prison. Before the year was through, Eddie was murdered by the mob in a lonely Chicago alley.
A pilot, on his way back to his carrier, spotted a Japanese squadron headed straight for the fleet. Without concern for his safety, he attacked them. He fought so hard that the Japanese had to abort their mission. When they reviewed his gun cannons, they found he’d destroyed five enemy aircraft all by himself. He became the first Ace fighter pilot. His name was Butch O’Hare, recipient of the Medal of Honor and he was Eddie’s son. Chicago was so proud they named O’Hare airport after the brave pilot.
Everyone leaves an example to their children to follow: good or bad. Driver, you may be on the road a lot, but what kind of legacy are you leaving for your kids? It’s never too late to turn things around. Want to talk about it? Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Recently, while at an outdoor music festival, it was hard not to notice the number of trucks being used to help make it a successful event. Everything from food, ice, showers, and musical equipment came in or were made available on trucks. What would have happened had these trucks and drivers not been available to offer their services? Driver, being available to do your job is critical to keeping things running smoothly for businesses, events, and other people. Yet much more significant is your availability to your family. Being on the road for days and weeks at a time can make this particularly difficult for you. However, by planning ahead and using your days off wisely, you can offer a priceless service to those you love. If you need help in this area, give us a call. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Have you ever been wronged by someone? Has anyone ever accused you of something you didn’t do? Have you received ridicule you didn’t deserve? Now let me ask you have you ever experiences these wrongs from a member of your family? Were you the one doing the accusing? Sometimes our families are the toughest places to keep the peace. Family members know each other’s shortcomings and weaknesses. They see the best and worst of us. That’s all part of being in a family. I once heard someone say “10% of life is what happens to use and 90% is how we react to what happened.” There is a right and wrong way to handle what happens to you within your family. How will you react? Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Are you carrying the heavy load of a broken family? Is your family on the verge of breaking? Have you been married more than once? Unfortunately, this is not that uncommon among truck drivers. No one likes the situation and most people wish it could be different. There is a lot of pain and sleepless nights for everyone during a divorce. Let me share with you three things: First of all, we all make mistakes, No one is perfect. Number two, it’s never too late to start rebuilding your family, and number three, and it doesn’t have to be this way. We can help you start rebuilding your family life today. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Have you ever thought about how many things come and go in your life? I mean when something doesn’t work anymore, we dispose of it, right? If we don’t like our job or where we work, we can find a new company. If our truck wears out, we can trade it in for a new one. If our house doesn’t meet our needs anymore, we can buy a new one. In society today, it seems that all too often we treat our families the same way. This should not be. Jobs, trucks and houses come and go, but a family should remain forever. Doing that is not always easy. It will take real work on your part. Let’s make the effort to invest in our family relationships. Our overall lives will become more content when our families are well taken care of. Let’s start today. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
Have you ever noticed that even though you run a twenty-four hour log and keep track of every hour of every day that there never is enough time to do all the things that are important to you? Spending time with family is a real issue when you work in the trucking industry. If the wheels aren’t rolling, you aren’t making any money. Being gone all the time is nearly unavoidable. So what can you do? How about making the most of the time you do have with your family? Did you know that effective time with family is not always about the quantity you spend, it’s more about the quality you experience? Ask yourself these questions: What can you do to make time with your family at home great, restful and happy? What should you avoid doing when you’re home so you don’t leave more frustrated than when you arrived? These are very good questions that have very good answers. If you’re not sure what those answers are, we’d like to help you find out. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
You’ve heard the old saying “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” I’m not so sure the person that said that was a truck driver. As a driver, absence poses many difficulties that other people simply don’t have to face when it comes to their family. For a driver, time with family is usually the first and foremost problem. You don’t have the luxury of attending all the concerts, plays, teacher conferences, bumps and bruises—let alone spending quality time with your spouse. Mix in the difficulties of communications, child rearing and household repairs such as broken water pipes, tires that need changing or the lawn that needs mowing and you’ve created a lifestyle that would break most people. If you then consider how high the divorce rate is among drivers, there’s no way you can tell me that absence is a good thing. However, there are many good ways of dealing with being gone all the time. Let us help make your heart grow fonder towards the ones you love. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.
A good truck driver will pay attention to their surroundings so they can be proactive to avoid incidents. For instance, if you notice someone ahead tailgating, you know that you need to allow extra space or maneuver away from those vehicles. It is a potential hazard waiting to happen. A good truck driver will also pay attention to the state of their marriage and family life. They will notice if there are potential hazards that need to be addressed before leaving for a long haul and when to steer away from something that could possibly harm their marriage relationship. They will be proactive with their days off at home by planning ahead to spend time with their spouse and children. Let us know how we can help you be a good driver, spouse, and parent, and avoid problems before they start. Comment here.
For more information, check out the issues section on our resources page or contact us. You can also call our toll-free Trucker Prayer Line at 1-877-797-PRAY (7729). We’re here for you.
Want to help? You can help us get the word out about www.driverswellness.com by forwarding a link of this blog to your trucker friends and family.