We’re halfway through May! The school year is coming to a close and summer is upon us. With the changing seasons comes other changes as well. Loved ones getting older, embracing new interests or changing goals and aspirations.

Change can and will happen to you as an over-the-road father. How can having an open mind help? What does it mean to be open-minded? How can dads demonstrate open-mindedness to their children?

For Prime driver and father of four Marcel McDowell, having an open mind means recognizing the ups and downs of the job and embracing the inevitable changes.

“Be open minded about not being home and what comes with the job,” he said. “The weather, other people on the road. Have an open mind. They’re not professional drivers; I am. I’m not in a rush—I’m wanting to make it home in one piece.”

Marcel started working for Prime last November, leading to many big changes in his life. Keep reading for Marcel’s experience and advice for fellow Prime driver fathers.

Becoming an over-the-road driver involves a lot of change

Marcel admitted that one of his biggest challenges as an over-the-road father is not having a physical presence at home.

“I video chat all the time, but it’s different than you being physically there…over the phone only does so much.” he said. “(My kids) think they can get away with little things. I do miss them, snuggling on the couch, watching movies and having family time. I want to make sure I’m in my kids’ life. I’m not physically there right now. I’m near, but I’m not. It’s challenging; it’s something you have to learn to cope with.”

During new driver orientation in Marcel’s first week at Prime, he was away from home. It started to hit him that he would be away from his family for long periods of time, and it made him wonder if this new career was the right choice.

“I got teary eyed talking to (my family) on the phone,” he said. “I didn’t know if I was doing the right thing. It’s challenging for the little ones.”

Marcel says having another body in the truck, his trainer and fellow father Chad Mathews, helped him cope with the loneliness he felt being away from his family.

“Having somebody else in the truck to talk to kept my mind off of things,” he said. “It was good to have somebody else on the truck to relate to. I’ve gotten used to being out here.”

Becoming an over-the-road driver as a father is a difficult decision that comes with a lot of change. In order to embrace that change, you have to keep an open mind. Turn to others who are in a similar situation to you for support, and keep in contact with your family.

Focus on the upsides

Marcel is grateful to Chad for his guidance and being someone who he could talk with during the beginning stages at Prime.

“We always had moments on the truck,” he said. “We talked about family and our wives, him being able to cope with (being an over-the-road driver), and knowing it’s for the better to make money. If the truck’s not moving, you’re not making money.”

While there are ups and downs to the job, Marcel encourages fellow over-the-road fathers to think about the positives.

“Driving gives you freedom, peace of mind and a free space to come in and relax,” he said. “It’s not all bad; everything pans out when it needs to.”

For Marcel, driving over-the-road feels like a vacation where you’re earning money. When he finally comes home, he says he gets an “overdose” of love from his family. Being away from home has allowed him to appreciate his family all the more.

Everybody is different; be kind and accepting

Marcel considers himself to be an open-minded person when it comes to interacting with new people. Nobody is going to feel or experience life the same exact way, and Marcel says it’s important to listen and assess the situation before anything is said.

“I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings,” he said. “Open up, make sure I don’t come off a certain way. I try to assess things without hurting someone.”

Communicating with others allows us to view the world from their perspective. For Marcel, that means handling and coping with people with a variety of personalities.

Keep the lines of communication open with your family

One of the hardest aspects of being an over-the-road father for Marcel is being physically away from his family. However, if you keep up communication with your home base and let them know you’re there for them, it can greatly strengthen that bond.

“Nothing is going to take away from you not being physically there,” Marcel admitted. “Keep an open mind and communicate no matter what.”

To stay attached to the world, even if you aren’t physically there, Marcel has embraced the power of a phone call.

“If you want to call me, call me,” he said. “I’m all for any conversation. I talk with people I haven’t talked to in years. It benefits you and helps others get something off their chest that’s bothering them. Hours go by when you’re talking to someone while driving.”

Demonstrate the value of open-mindedness to your children

Marcel’s oldest daughter is in her first year of college. He has three youngsters at home, and it’s admittedly hard for him to be gone for long periods of time over-the-road.

“They know I’m always there for them, and I have to show them that daddy has to go away,” he said.

When Marcel was in school to earn his CDL, his kiddos had to have an open mind to that change. He explained to his children what his new job at Prime would entail—and that change can be both a good and a bad thing.

“I have to have an open mind, do what I have to do, but the home has to benefit. You have to take care of your family. As long as I’m making money, my wife is happy and I get to come home.”

Your children might not fully grasp the sacrifice you’re making to be a provider for your family, but they will with time. Let them know that you’re there for them, even if you’re not physically present.

Final Words

Being an over-the-road father is an experience with plenty of unique challenges. By being open minded about himself in this role, Marcel says he thinks of how much his job is helping to support his family.

“If you want to make the money, you have to go make the money,” he said. “You have your ups and downs. You can do it, you can manage, think about the positives: the free space, the meditating, getting away and getting your thoughts together. It’s not that bad.”