On Mother’s Day – and every day! – Cargomatic is proud to provide our drivers with the tools they need to focus on the work they enjoy and the people they love. Arleta, CA driver Mariacarmen Arroyo shared how she leverages her support system to balance life as a mom to a 9 ½ year old and her job as a truck driver.
What is it like to balance mom life with trucker life?
It’s definitely not an easy task to do, even more being a single mother. Early mornings and late nights are the usual. But blessed to have the support system from my mother and siblings to help me navigate through both being a mom and having a career. It definitely takes a village to raise a child.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
I actually have a few. The trucking industry has been such a male dominated career, I constantly have the feeling of having to prove myself when operating a truck so when my skills get acknowledged, I get joy when a foreman/contractor compliments my driving and skills and request that I return for future jobs. But also the flexibility I have to be able to take my daughter with me to work during vacation time. It’s the extra bonding time I get with my daughter that makes this job great and also gives me the opportunity to show my daughter first hand what hard work looks like.
What would people be surprised to know about your job?
How challenging and dangerous it can be for anyone let alone a 4’11 little woman like myself lol. Due to my height I have many challenges than averaged height individual wouldn’t. So just to able to operate a truck at my height, it amazes most. The lack of fear and full of courage and determination towards my job is something many have told me they respect and admire.
What do your kids like about their mom’s job?
My daughter said “I like that my mom teaches me what the buttons are for and and let’s me push them, I like that she takes me with her. And my favorite part of the day is when she gets signed out to go home playing some music singing along and dancing.
