There’s never a dull moment in the life of an over-the-road driver. From evolutions in the industry to road closures to unexpected weather, it seems that plans always tend to change. The same can be said for fatherhood.

“Until you’re in that life, you don’t know what it’s like,” said Chad Mathews, Prime flatbed division driver of over eight years and a father of three with a fourth on the way. Good Dads talked with Chad for this week’s blog about the importance of embracing change as an over-the-road driver.

Are you able to adapt to change easily, or does it take some time? How do you cope with big changes as an OTR dad? How can you stay flexible as you navigate these changes?

If you’re an over-the-road father to younger kids, you won’t want to miss Chad’s insights on this Prime Good Dads blog!

Priorities change at different life stages

Chad met his wife, Tabby, when she had a young daughter of her own. He was a truck driver at the time, so he was accustomed to being a single man in that role. Chad admitted that one of his life’s biggest changes was the transition from “riding solo” to being in a relationship.

Chad provided an example of how his outlook changed during this transition. After buying a house for his family, he and his wife were moving furniture. He became anxious that the furniture would scratch the floor. At that moment, his wife told him to take a breath. She reminded him that wear-and-tear was inevitable.

“Now I have a two-year-old boy destroying the house,” he chuckled. “You (learn to) let go of things and pick your battles. Things stressing you out before don’t matter now: Priorities change.”

Over the course of being an over-the-road driver, Chad has gone from being single to a married father, something he takes great pride in. During these life stages, priorities change. To read more about priorities and time management, be sure to check out our blog with James Burrow on the subject.

Life over-the-road is a team effort

Chad trains new Prime drivers. During one of the first conversations he has with them, he says he emphasizes the importance of three key concepts: safety, time management and adaptability.

For Chad, adaptability and problem solving go hand-in-hand. Have a plan every day—but recognize that plans can (and will) change.

“When things happen, know who to call and ask questions,” he said. “Can’t solve (a problem) yourself? Find someone who can. Have a team to help with those things.”

It’s easy to see how the same advice is applicable as a dad. For parenting, Chad leans on his wife for guidance and support.

“She knows more than I do in that aspect,” he said. “There’s a lot of team effort. We turn to each other a lot for different reasons. She turns to me for peace, stability and calm. There’s so much on her plate…I’m her rock, her peace, her answer for that. If I don’t know what to do, I turn to her.”

If you have a partner, communication and teamwork will go a long way in ensuring your family thrives. The phrase, “it takes a village to raise a child,” is also applicable. Ensuring that you have a good support system over-the-road and at home can help your journey as an over-the-road father go a lot smoother.

Be ready to adapt, especially in the beginning

Chad has been in the trucking industry for nearly a decade. It hasn’t been free from challenges, but there are substantial rewards to an over-the-road career as well. One of the challenges Chad in the beginning of his career was the reduced availability to spend time with friends in his hometown. That separation definitely isn’t easy.

“Life changes, and you don’t get to see them very much,” he said.

Being an over-the-road driver can sometimes be lonely, which is why having a support system is so beneficial. Talking with other drivers, especially those with more experience or who also have children, can help ease the feeling of loneliness.

However, despite the challenges, Chad sees driving over-the-road for a living as a great benefit. For one thing, according to him, he can fill up his tank with gas without worrying about the financial detriment. For another, truck driving is something Chad is passionate about.

“(Trucking) is something I could focus on that I was good at,” he said. “I have a goal, a challenge that I didn’t have before. All of a sudden, there was a reason. Before it was getting by, now (I’m) accomplishing goals. It changed my life around, and I felt proud of what I was doing.”

Chad’s advice? Communicate with your home base whenever possible, as well as friends and fellow drivers. Chad encouraged over-the-road fathers who are new to the role to do research and prepare for lifestyle changes, for both you and your partner, because “it’s going to be difficult losing that set of hands.”

Chad is passionate about his career as an over-the-road driver as well as his role as a husband and father. He’s experienced major changes in the trucking industry, from increased technology usage to adapting during the COVID-19 pandemic, something himself and others are “still feeling the effects of.” Chad’s ability to adapt to changes in the life of an over-the-road father have helped him thrive.

Frequent communication with loved ones back home can help you learn and adapt to new changes

Chad and Tabby are excited for their son to enter the world in June. Once he’s born, they’ll have two boys and two girls, ranging from newborn to seven years old. He and his wife have always wanted to raise a family together, but Chad admitted it’s “getting harder and harder to leave home.”

“The hardest part is being away,” he said. “It comes with good and bad, being a dad with this job. My wife is able to stay home with the kids because of the income. It’s better for her and the kids, especially when they’re young. It’s a sacrifice you have to make as a provider.”

The best combination for success is teamwork and communication, two valuable skills for over-the-road fathers. Planning out the days and weeks with his wife, along with sending photos, videos and video chatting whenever possible with his family, has helped Chad.

“My wife gets it, she understands, she makes it possible,” he said. “Every single day, I tell her the plan for the next three days, and when things change, she’s not surprised. We plan things at home when I’m available. It’s important to be flexible. I do my best to be there when I can, but she’s willing to work with me on that. If we plan accordingly, it’ll go just fine.”

Communicate with your team (and yourself) on what your roles and priorities are. For Chad, he’s the provider for his family, ensuring they’re able to grow and thrive through his support. His wife and kids are his top priority, and according to Chad, they’re what make his life better.

Final Words

Through your journey as an over-the-road father, there are going to be changes. You have to be open to embracing this change, as it helps you grow as a person. This life is not free from challenges, but by setting your priorities and working as a team with those in your support system, you can go a long way to adapting smoothly to life’s unexpected changes.

“If I hadn’t been open to change, I wouldn’t be in this situation,” Chad said. “My life is not what it used to be: It’s much better.”