Railroad wife = emotional eating...

mommyami1

Are there any other railroader spouses out there? My husband just left after being forced assigned 3 hours away from home. I already struggled with emotional eating when he was just on the road, but I always knew he'd be back the next day. I'm getting sooo much support from all my friends here on MFP and am so grateful. And I thought, maybe there are other railroad wives/husbands out there struggling with the same type of schedules, uncertainties, and loneliness that this job brings. Just wondering if we could all support each other.

hockeymom180

Hey there, this is my first post on the boards and I'm coming out to say I'm a railroad wife too and I TOTALLY KNOW what you're talking about. And when he's not home I don't plan meals like I should.

Being a railroad spouse and keeping a family together takes a special kind of strength that a lot of people never consider, IMO. When that phone rings, he's gone, whether you're throwing a birthday party, stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire, at a kids soccer game, or having some quality time in bed, LOL.

tigersmoondiva

That life is rough. My father is an engineer- and my father-in-law is a (retired) conductor. My husband considered hiring on with the railroad once upon a time - but I managed to talk him out of it....

If I can be any help to you though - certainly add me. I know how frustrating the scheduling can be. Heaven forbid you actually attempt to plan something ahead of time. I know when I was a kid a lot of our "vacations" were pretty on the fly. (And close-by) It didn't keep us from having fun though.

My husband's mother used to pack lunches and take them up to her husband on the turn-around during times when he was having to spend nights on the other end.

What I learned from both sides was this. Find fun when you can. And be happy even when your living unconventionally! After years in the military - I couldn't handle anymore. I think had my husband gone railroad instead I would have been alright. After the military kept us separated for 6 years though - well - all we were thinking was that we wanted to sleep in the same bed at night. I do sometimes miss the separation though - it made for fun times when he got back!

JsGirl93

18 years a railroad wife here! Trust me... I know!

KHaverstick

My husband works for the railroad. He doesn't have a job where he's got to be out of town, but he does work 2nd shift, which is completely opposite of mine (he is starting his work day literally at the same time that mine is ending), so we don't see much of each other on days when we both work. My biggest challenge is that I have a tough time actually cooking when he is working, because I have a 19 month-old, who is not always patient enough to wait for me to cook something after I pick her up from daycare. So...I usually end up eating more packaged foods than I would like. And as for the times that he IS home, we tend to eat out more.

It was a transition for us, especially when he first started and was on 3rd shift. We were used to spending every evening and weekend together. Him not being home in the evenings, and having to work every weekend, was a big adjustment. But we're making it work. We just try to make the most of the time that we do have together!

mommyami1

Thanks so much for reading my post! I'm so happy that someone out here really understands! I'm really going to try hard to not to shovel food into my mouth after the baby goes to bed and I'm left to my pantry.... I think I'll use this time to try and get adequate amounts of sleep!

ashleyfloyd10

I'm a railroad wife too and I totally understand what you are going through!

dsengel01

Felow RR wife here too. My husband is gone all the time. I feel like a single parent, lol. We've been through times when he lived away from home for months and even up to a year before. Lucky for us work from home has been pretty steady the last few years. But, he came home last night and said rumors are running rampant that their terminal is closing. Ugghhhh! It takes a special person tobe married to a rail roader. I'm sending you a friend request. Anybody feel free to friend me also!