Working away from the family

[Bowtech08]

How many of y'all do it and how hard is it? I might have an opportunity to change jobs and double my yearly Income. But I would be gone for 2 weeks home for 3 days or gone for 3 weeks home for 1 week. I'll start off in Freer Tx and maybe move to Seguin Tx after I get a promotion.

[bsills]

Tough to turn down more money but it would be hard to only see the kids every couple weeks.

[Bowtech08]

A lot more money. I just don't want to regret not going for it. I would be able to give my family luxuries that we could only dream of normally.

[angelmom1971]

Pray about it..you will get an answer

[bsills]

A lot more money. I just don't want to regret not going for it. I would be able to give my family luxuries that we could only dream of normally.

The kids view you as a luxury also. If its all about the money then do it. If it was two or three night a week that would not be to bad for a while but two or three weeks is a long time.

[Playa]

It's not worth the money, at least wasn't for me.

After being gone I'd get to where I didn't communicate with my wife because I had become accustomed to being away. I'd become very self relient when I was away too.

My kid thought the computer (Skype)was the only way to talk to me

[Bowtech08]

Ok it's not exactly all about the money and being able to buy better stuff. But it sucks living paycheck to paycheck and having to pay one bill a little late. I see guys at my place of work that have been there for 15-20 yrs and only making a few bucks more than me. Theres no room for improvement for me.

[bsills]

Ok it's not exactly all about the money and being able to buy better stuff. But it sucks living paycheck to paycheck and having to pay one bill a little late. I see guys at my place of work that have been there for 15-20 yrs and only making a few bucks more than me. Theres no room for improvement for me.

Look for another job in your town, and not to be rude just stating facts that most people living paycheck to paycheck will do the same no matter how much money they make.

What do you do for a living now?

[Bowtech08]

I drive 50 miles one way to Tomball. I work at Baker Hughes as a mechanic assembler.

[fox1]

I've been married for 22 years and traveling for 21.
It is hard, especially when your kids are young. Can it work ? Yes. But 99 percent of it is how much extra work you put into your family. You and your wife have to be strong and united. When you are off of work then the family gets to own all of your time and attention.
All the naysayers will swear you are destroying your kids but my kids and I have one of the strongest relationships I know because when I wasn't at work I devoted all my time and energy to them. When I went fishing they went too when I went hunting they were right there with me.
I have spent thousands of dollars over the years to fly home for special occasions but I would do it all over again.
Take the time to go buy several hallmark cards and fill them out, hide them all over the house and then once every couple of days tell the wife to go find one, and oh yea get to know your local florist real well.

[Cam-Mac]

My wife works out if town all week, took an incredible job opportunity and over twice the salary. I only see her on saturdays and sundays. It is actually not as bad as i thought it would be. You do have to be very intentional about communicating. One plus for us is that we dont have kids. I cant imagine how it would work if we did, but the distance thing has worked for us so far. Hopefully someone will have some other input (from both sides). Good luck with your decision.

[miket]

It would be tough. I know this, I wouldnt do it even for triple the money. I have four kids, two of them from a previous marriage. It all depends on your situation.

[txlawdog]

There is a delicate balance that you will have to work out. Just remember when you get home they will want a lot of your time. The pages on a calendar will start flipping real quick. My dad worked out of town quite a bit when I was growing up. He passed away when I was 15. I worked shift work for a few years while my son was growing up. It was a 3 on 3 off schedule, was not too bad. We spent each 3 days off together as much as we could. I went on every school field trip I could schedule off for if it was not a day off. Never been sorry. Wished I could have spent more time with him, he is going in Army this summer after graduation. Hate reading the paper about our soldiers not coming home like they left. Just pray and you will know what to do.

[Outlawz Edge]

I do it all the time I spend 6 months at home and the 6-8 months in Iraq. Its hard, but the money is good. I have a strong relationship with my wife.

[Bowtech08]

I'm diffidently going to talk to the company. And get all the details.