The car business is a great place to make money, but can you raise a family while working in the auto industry? The answer is yes, but with a husband working too much it can take a toll on your marriage.
Learn how you can improve your relationship with a husband working all the time.
Dating someone in the car business is a lot different than being married to them.
When you’re just dating, you don’t mind hanging out during a weeknight or going out on a Sunday afternoon because it’s practically the only day when your significant other can dedicate to you.
Once you’re married to them or simply living together, you realize how much work takes a toll on their everyday life.
What happens if you’ve created a family together?
For one, you won’t have family days on Saturdays like most people.
However, you learn to juggle everything.
Understanding The Car Business Lifestyle
Please understand that the lifestyle of the auto businessman’s wife isn’t as glamorous as most people think.
If your significant other is off twice in one week, consider yourself very lucky. When we lived in NJ, my husband was off every Sunday. Those were our family days. He also had Thursdays off to run errands.
With my husband at work on Saturdays, they’ve become my personal days. Cleaning and organizing things around the house on Saturdays is a breather for me to focus on the essentials.
Whether you’re dating to someone in the car business, you need to understand that the lifestyle isn’t for everyone.
If you need attention, lack creativity, or don’t like constant change, then this lifestyle isn’t for you.
Dating my husband was an interesting mix of comfort and uncertainty. Commitment doesn’t come easy for those who work in the auto business. Long hours, seeing different people and women are likely to hit on your spouse (oh, it happens and it’s hilarious how much they try).
The values you bring to the table are what matter. Granted, your significant other has morals.
Throughout the years, I’ve heard stories about my husband’s current and past co-workers. Most men in the car business who’ve been divorced, cheated on, or were unfaithful. The lifestyle may not be easy, but if the foundation of your relationship is built with love and trust, you can make anything work.
How Moving Helped Simplify Family Time
Living in South Florida has changed things for us as a family. In between working from home and planning fun mom ideas with the kids, we depend on one schedule, my husband’s work schedule.
Back in North Jersey, we had two work schedules and were always too exhausted to do anything on a Sunday besides visit family and friends.
Today, we use my husband’s days off to focus on family. From beaches to local parks or simply setting up water play ideas for kids, there isn’t a limit to the things we can do together.
The better weather has allowed us to do this year-round. The weather lets you appreciate the moments together.
Even when my husband can’t join us on an adventure, I try to make the best out of the time I have with the kids. I will admit that some trips have caused me to question my sanity and have me wondering how a single parent has the patience to deal with all of the toddler drama on their own.
The truth is, their smiles and tired little faces are worth it.
BONUS: Tiring out the kids during the day means time for hubby and me at night.
5 Things To Consider When Dating Someone In The Auto Industry
Being married to someone in the car business can leave you thinking everything is on you — and it usually is. As noted above, the lifestyle of the automotive industry isn’t for everyone.
Below are five things to keep in mind when you’re in a relationship with someone in the auto industry:
1. Keep yourself busy.
This is when creativity comes into play. Picking up a hobby is so important because it helps keep you sane during the long hours. Be ready to explore different things before you find what works for you. Also, be sure to throw in a self care routine — you’ll need it.
2. Always communicate.
There’s nothing more exciting than the moment my husband walks through the door. I’m like a puppy waiting for him to play. Take time on a daily basis just to discuss everyday life. Communicating your emotions as well. It does get stressful with kids at home, so be prepared.
3. Plan ahead.
Long hours can be exhausting, but there’s always time for everything. Making time for the things you both enjoy is important to your relationship.
NOTE: Don’t expect your spouse to always surprise you (here’s where the need for attention is a no-go for this lifestyle).
The car business will drain you. My husband won’t show up every day with a surprise for me, and I’m okay with that. I’ve always been the one to surprise him, but we always make each other feel special every day — that’s what counts.
4. Put yourself in their shoes.
You may not be the one working all those hours, but if you can understand what it feels like to be exhausted — mentally and physically. Put a smile on their face after a long day by helping them relax after work. I like setting up my husband’s favorite sandals by the door and putting a beer in the fridge.
If you have kids, make sure they’re in bed early. This way your significant other comes home to a calm home. You just never know what he dealt with during the day.
5. Talk about goals together.
It’s easy to get lost in day-to-day activities. Thinking ahead is always a good idea in a marriage. Whatever goals you might have, discuss them together, and plan ways to tackle them.
39 responses to “What It Means To Be Married To Someone In The Car Business”
Great tips here! It must be overwhelming trying to do it all on your own so much, but it sounds like you are amazing at juggling it all! 🙂
Thank you, Lauren. It's not easy, but it's worth it to see their little happy faces.
Wishing you a great week! 🙂
These are the teething problems of any new relationship. Staying positive and communication is the key to a healthy relationship.
I love talking about our goals with my husband. Sometimes it is just small ones but it is a great way to hold eachother accountable.
I had no idea about the car industry!
Wow sounds hectic but at least you found a system that works. There are still days I’m trying to figure out a system that works for me but it’s so hard!
Sounds like you have figured out a system that works for you. I know a lot of people that struggle with busy schedules, whether it is weekend work or like my husband, who often works late every night. I have a lot of friends who have a husband who works nights and they work days. All that hard work will pay off.
Sounds like you have it all figured out, though. Glad you are able to make it work for you guys.
My dad has always been a car guy, but in a different way. He’s been a mechanic on performance race cars as long as I can remember. So most of our family weekends were spent at the dragstrip whether he was there racing a car or there to work on one. It’s definitely a different dynamic, but I loved my time spent at the track1
That is something that I had not thought about, but I can relate. My husband is in healthcare and works super long hours, so I get it!!!
These are great suggestions for handling the stress of having a husband who works long hours. Thanks!
Retail and sales work is very challenging and the demands can tax any relationship. Like you pointed out, it’s important to be a take charge partner with leadership and strong parenting skills to fill the gap.
My husband works very long hours and it’s stressful for both of us. These are some great suggestions as this lifestyle is challenging.