OT dads with small kids and a job that travels, how do you like it?

it's hard with small kids, both as a parent who traveled and as a kid whose dad was never home.

grass isn't always greener. unless you really need the money, i'd say no. you cant get those years back.

Every on-the-road sales guy I know has been divorced.

Got a 9 month old and a 25% travel job. I try to travel less when possible, but I’ve missed some milestones and it’s crushing.

Still love my job.

(no message)

Rework the numbers without your wife working; that’s what most families do if one parent is on the road so much to keep things going. Also, consider they might be a little rosey right now on travel amount either due to Covid or to get someone on seat.

You can’t get the time back, or the memories.

My dad was always working growing up, often out of town on turnarounds.
When my kids were very young, i was doing the same kind of thing, chasing paper. After a spell, I stopped the shift work and got a job that had me home every night. Definitely a cut in pay, but looking back now it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.

Now, I’ve got memories. Snuggles. Joy.
I’m there to give them their lullabies at night, and cuddles in the morning. We laugh and play and be silly.

You can’t put a price on that.
Leave the traveling to the single baws. Daddies should be home with their babies

In pictures

I've got her photograph on a stand by my bed
Two on the mantle and thousands in my head
I can't believe how fast she's growing
It ain't supposed to be like this
Everytime I look at her, I see how much I missed.
I missed her first steps
Her first words
And “I love you daddy” is something I seldom heard.
Oh it hurts me so…
To watch my girl grow…
Up in Pictures
I sent the money down
Do my best to do my part
But it can't compare to what I paid with my heart
There's still one answered question
That weighs heavy on my mind
Will she ever understand, the reasons why?
I missed her first steps
Her first words
And I love you daddy something I seldom heard
Oh it hurts me so, to watch my girl grow
Up in pictures
Takes all I have to keep the tears inside.
And What I wouldn't give if I could turn back time.
I missed her first steps
Her first words
And “ I love you daddy” is something I seldom heard
Oh it hurts me so, to watch my baby grow
Up in pictures

quote:

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You can’t get the time back, or the memories.

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Do you make a lot of memories with 10-12 year old children on weeknights? Most people’s weeknights are filled with running around to practices, kids doing homework, bathing and sleep.

Four weeknights away per a month for a job making $20k v. staying in a job that is a dinosaur and will continue to dry up losing as much as $10k? Money is not everything, but you can make a a lot of memories on weeknights you are home and weekends with that extra $20-$25k. That’s two or three extra trips a year.

You can also bring the kids with you on trips once they are a bit older (old enough stay in hotel room by themselves for a few hours while you are pitching) and let them see some of the country.

It’s not ideal, but there are upsides to it. Personal choice, but I know I would take it for the longevity of job security more than anything.

I suppose that situation isn’t so bad. I’m thinking about a job where you are gone much of the time.

And it’s easier when they are older. It’s those baby to teen years that are so important.

I’m just being nostalgic. I know how much my dad sacrificed for us, and I understand it now as a father. I just know If I had gone down the same path I would have missed so much that I’m just now realizing is worth.

Being able to tuck my kids in at night and give them lullabies and cuddles…well, when that time is over, it’s worth more than overtime.