Being There When You Can’t Be There

“Maintaining family relationships” was one of the top three challenges with personal issues given by company drivers in a Truckers News survey last year. Especially during the holidays, being a part of the daily lives of loved ones probably matters deeply to you.
New apps and devices that easily go anywhere your truck does have made it more simple than ever to stay in touch, but some of the best ways to feel closer to home have more to do with how you use technology than what kind of tablet you own.

Try New Ways to Connect

Have you driven there/done that once too often to want the headache of figuring out a new app? Why learn how Twitter works if you already use Facebook or get on Skype when you already know how to FaceTime? There are a couple of great reasons to experiment with apps you haven’t tried.
Just like the vegetable casserole you ended up loving after Mom insisted you try it, you might like it. If you discover you prefer Skype to FaceTime, you’ll start it up just because you’re thinking about that special someone instead of waiting until later.
It’s also easier to stay in touch with people where they already are. Your 15-year-old granddaughter might think Facebook is for parents because she and her friends spend their time on Twitter. It’ll be easier to see how her day went by reading her tweets than by following her on Facebook.

Make Connecting a Habit

If talking to loved ones is only a matter of getting in touch when you think about it, you might occasionally realize it’s been too long since the last time you spoke. If you then happen to call right as your Mom is walking into the grocery store, you’ll still miss the chance to catch up.
A good way to ensure you’re keeping up is to make it a daily or weekly habit to call or Skype at a certain time when you know they’re more likely to be able to connect.
If you talk to your wife the same time each morning while she has coffee before the kids wake up and again a half-hour before bedtime while they’re getting into pajamas, you’ll feel more like part of their daily routine.
If you Instagram a picture of your current location every time you stop for lunch, your family will be able to feel more like part of your trip every day.
Of course, a truck driver’s schedule varies a lot more than most, but even if you can’t pull off the same times every day, having a general time to aim for helps keep the contact more constant.
No matter how you’re finding creative ways to be with loved ones, the CalArk family wishes the very best for yours this season!
What’s your favorite tip for staying close even when far away? Let us know in the comments or join the discussion on our Facebook and Twitter accounts. And don’t forget to like and follow CalArk while you’re there!

We know you already know this, but never use your phone or device while driving. Not only is it illegal, but also your safety matters much more to your friends and family than getting that text an hour earlier.