At Good Dads, we inspire fathers be the best they can be, helping kids and communities one dad at a time. We often get the question, “What about Good Moms?” Oftentimes for both Mom and Dad to be better parents, communication and teamwork must take place.

Ask any over-the-road dad, and they’ll tell you that their partners play an important role as the “home base” for the family. Good moms are valuable, and many of our over-the-road dads have hit the “mother” lode when it comes to their co-parent!

Heidi Eck, mother of six and wife of Prime driver Anthony Eck, has spent nine years as an over-the-road driver with her husband. Last October, she came off the road and began an in-house position at Prime. She knows about being a good mom, both over-the-road and at home!

Enjoy moments you have together with family

Even though some of Heidi’s children have grown up and moved away from home, she says some of her favorite moments as a mom are opportunities for the family to gather and spend time together.

“I love when the kids are happy,” she said. “My favorite experiences are having them all over for dinner during the holidays, listening to them get along and enjoying each other’s company. It makes my mama heart happy!”

Heidi is even enjoying the benefits of being a grandma. She admitted that being a mom is hard, and dynamics change as the kids get older—but it’s worth it to have opportunities to spend with both her children and her grandbaby.

When over-the-road fathers are back home, Heidi suggests spending time with your family as much as possible, with limited distractions, enjoying the moment.

“The older I get, the more I realize these moments are becoming fewer,” she said. “Put the phone down, enjoy the good times and laugh.”

Communication is key

When Anthony is over the road, he’s usually gone for six to eight weeks at a time. For Heidi, communication is the most important tool for staying connected to her husband. Without regular check-ins, you’ll likely forget about what happened by the time dad comes home.

“If you can’t physically be there, at least communicate,” she said.” I love that we have the ability to sit and talk with him while he’s gone.”

Even short and sweet messages, like “good morning” and “have a good day” make a big difference in improving your kiddo’s day. For Heidi, these messages say, “I may not be there (physically), but I’m still thinking of you every day.”

Finding a balance that works is a process

Heidi says as the wife of an over-the road driver, you’re fulfilling multiple roles at the same time.

“You have to be Mom and Dad,” she said, “You’re there for everything, good days and bad, and you fulfill every need that the kids have.”

In Heidi’s role as a working mom, she admits she’s still finding a balance between work life and mom life. This isn’t a bad thing! Finding that balance is a process many moms tackle on a daily basis.

Working together with your co-parent is crucial, and regular check-ins are important. Heidi says that cell phones are a blessing in this way, as Anthony can have regular check-ins with her and the rest of the family for life updates, wins, problem solving and more.

Being a good mom involves patience and listening skills

For Heidi, taking time to sit down on both good and bad days and listen to her kids and hear their concerns is crucial to being both a good mom and parent in general

“Let them know that they’re not alone,” she said. “Be available as much as you possibly can.”

During her tenure as an over-the-road driver, Heidi says she learned a thing or two about patience in that role, and her kids even noticed a difference! She said that being both a co-driver and co-parent with Anthony have allowed them to learn together and utilize their personal strengths.

“He’s quiet, easy going and level-headed. I’m the hot-head!” she joked. “We balance each other out! Being in close quarters like that, you have to like each other and learn to get along.”

The traits that make a good mom can apply to being a good human. Through her patience and listening skills, Heidi is able to work together with Anthony to be good parents for their children.

Final Words

If you’re the partner of an over-the-road dad, we want to thank you for all that you do for your families! By working together as a team, you’re raising the next generation of leaders and learners.

While being a mom in a family with an over-the-road driver father is tough, for Heidi, communication, patience and time spent together go a long way.

“I always try to be the best (mom) I can be,” she said. “I’m there for my kids, to listen and have fun with them.”