Lonely wife

by Denise Farmer
(Bruceton, TN)

My husband is an over the road truck driver. He is gone usually two wks at a time. I have three kids of my own who live with their father & a stepson who lives with us.

My family lives in Indiana & we live in Tennessee as well as my husband's family. His family isn't able to handle the stresses of helping with my stepson so that I can work a full time job to help support my other children.

We go through the challenges of his kid/my kids. It just happens in split families. Since my husband is gone all the time I am limited to the hours I can work. I have to be able to get my stepson on the bus & then be home when he gets off. My mother-n-law can't handle homework time with my stepson as he is ADD.

My husband & I have decided that it's best for me to stay home & raise my stepson. I enjoy that! However, it is hard for people to understand our life. I had to learn overnight how to be a plumber, car repairman, take care of the lawn, etc. All of which my husband used to handle.

All that my husband is responsible for is focusing on working & financially providing. (Which is a big deal & I am truly grateful that he takes good care of us)He rather I take care of EVERYTHING else. I pay bills, raise the kids, clean, organize,etc. I am here to be his helper & I am happy to do it.

But sometimes it is extremely hard to be strong ALL the time. My husband & I get along better when he believes that I'm not weak or that I can manage everything. It feels like my husband is dead for 2 wks & then he comes to life again, then we repeat the process.

When my husband is home we are amazingly happy. Things are great. I have a great husband who puts up with a lot on the road. He lets me be a stay at home mom which has been a dream of mine.

There are good & bad with everything. I treasure the time I do have with my husband & I am learning how to cope alone.

I want to be the wife that my husband adores & is proud of.