Law Enforcement families? - Page 2

[CheapPearls]

Hey everyone! How's your week been going so far?

I got a question. How do you handle those "F the police" people? I got somewhat attacked on a blog post today so it got me thinking about it. What happened today was more mildly funny then anything but I've seen a lot worse. On the internet is easy to ignore it but have you ever met someone IRL like that?

[Valkyrie9]

You know, I don't think I've had to deal with it IRL. The only thing I can think of is my dumb little brother telling DH about his college plans because he wanted to be an investigator of insurance fraud, "Not one of those bottom-feeders who writes tickets." DH and I just blinked a few times and wrote it off to my brother being a nimrod. (And hey! Thanksgiving is almost here and I'm sure to have more fun stories like that to share soon...)

As far as the internet goes, I have had to ban myself from certain places where I am sure to get into a discussion. The local newspaper comment section is one such place: I finally realized that I cannot change an idiot's mind by posting an insightful comment. What I say might resonate with people who are moderately-minded, but you can't stop a wacko from being a wacko. All you're going to do is stress yourself out.

I think it's best to just walk away, even though lambasting them would feel so much better.

[MamaStarbird]

Originally Posted by Valkyrie9

The local newspaper comment section is one such place: I finally realized that I cannot change an idiot's mind by posting an insightful comment. What I say might resonate with people who are moderately-minded, but you can't stop a wacko from being a wacko. All you're going to do is stress yourself out.

Oh my gosh, the newspaper's online comments are the absolute worst! DH used to get all worked up over them until I pointed out that it's the same five UAVs posting in response to every story.

In real life, interactions are usually surprisingly positive and hilarious, like kids running into their teacher outside of school. However, we do go out of our way to avoid potential conflicts--changing lanes at the supermarket so we're not behind someone whose son we've arrested, never going to local bars, etc.

[SAHDS]

Tonight is DH's "Friday" meaning his last night of work before his 3 days off. We'll probably see a movie, maybe put up some Christmas lights, watch football of course.

Negative people... what are you gonna do? I just laugh it off and realize they're the first people to call 911 asking for help Oh well. Let them work for minimum wage doing some crappy job, bitching about something they are completely ignorant about while my DH is out putting his life on the line for strangers.

Loooooong story about this, DH did make my nearly-18 y/o brother cry last week. He deals pot and is all upset about this-and-that and "the cops can't do this" and blah, blah, blah. After an hour on the phone, DH finally told my brother that the reason he hasn't seen our kids (his niece and nephew) in the last 4 months is because we refuse to bring them into that type of situation. My brother LOST IT. Started bawling, even though he had a friend over. I hope it hit home, the kid is on a bad track. DH still feels bad but it needed to be said and heard.

And meeting people when out... awkward. We've seen them at Home Depot and church! They always want to shake DH's hand and give him the "turned-my-life-around" story. Sure. Thankfully, DH works in a different town so we don't see anyone anymore.

Yeah, the online newspaper comments are bad. Although, after DH's shooting, they were extremely positive except for the ridiculously obtuse comments containing a lot of misspelled words and Internet slang. *le sigh*

[AkRotts]

Hi Everyone. I hope you don't mind if I join you

My husband has been in law enforcement for 11 years. He is currently a state trooper where he has been for the past 7 years.

I have been a dispatcher for the past 7 years. I get to tell hubby where to go at home & at work

We both LOVE our jobs, although we do often bring our work home with us. We also frequently forget ourselves and speak in 10 codes Because of this our oldest daughter has learned all of our 10 codes so she can understand what we are saying

There are definitely some drawbacks to both of us working shift work. At least right now we are both high enough in seniority that we can pretty much pick and choose our shifts and while we don't work the same shift, we do have at least one day off together. Starting next month we will have 2 days off together, YAY!!! I work day shift and he works swing shift, so I get home just as he is leaving for work and he is usually just going to bed when I get up. I HATE not getting holidays off!!! It wasn't such a big deal when we just had one daughter (she is now 23), but now with the 3 little ones, having to work Christmas is a pain!!

I am glad to have found other LEO families

[CheapPearls]

Hello AkRotts!

How is everyone's weekend going?

Dh is at work, I wake up to my son throwing up all over my bed and my vacuum is broken so I don't even feel like cleaning. Meh.

But besides that, I have new books from the library to keep me busy.

[mama2annabelle]

Hello! My DH has been in law enforcement for close to 2 years now. He worked in sales for 10 years before that and made a really good income.
We are struggling to adjust to the crazy hours and disappointing income of law enforcement. When he started he was promised all kinds of overtime opportunities, but the department had some major budget cuts soon after he started and the OT is just not happening. I am really not happy with his career change at all!

[Valkyrie9]

Originally Posted by mama2annabelle

Hello! My DH has been in law enforcement for close to 2 years now. He worked in sales for 10 years before that and made a really good income.
I am really not happy with his career change at all!

Welcome! Do you think your DH's income is more secure in this economy than it would have been in sales? Are the benefits better? (I'm just trying to help ya find a bright side.)

Our weekend is going okay. DH is the acting supervisor right now while his boss is on vacation, but he's been able to spend most of the weekend at home--that hasn't happened in several months!

[SAHDS]

Hi all, just checking in. Welcome to the new ladies!

Originally Posted by Valkyrie9

Welcome! Do you think your DH's income is more secure in this economy than it would have been in sales?

That's what I was thinking. My cousin's DH is in sales and hasn't had a paycheck in 8 weeks. I'm trying to talk her into having him apply with DH's dept. (to no avail).

I'm surprised the pay is bad, where are you in FL? Is he city, county, state? Has he thought of transferring depts.?

[beachbaby]

Hi, mamas! I was just thinking about the LEO family support tribe and am glad to see it's still going! May I jump back in?

DH has been in LE for almost 10 years now--he started as a dispatcher while in college, then as a seasonal officer (he works in a resort town that hires about 100 officers just for the summer months), got hired full-time, did years on the road and in narcotics, and is currently a detective and SWAT. It's been a long, sometimes hard road. But, right now we are in a lull--his busy season at work is ending, no middle-of-the night call outs lately, 4 days in a row off this week (unheard of! it's bliss!), so I'm feeling . BUT, ask me in the middle of July and I'll likely have a different perspective!

It's nice to have MDC/LEO support...it gets lonely out there. My crunchy friends don't really 'get' LE and I don't have much in common with the other police wives in DH's department.

[CheapPearls]

Dh got his shift assignment for after he's commissioned! I'm SO happy. : He'll be working evenings Thursday - Sunday. This works so well for us and homeschooling. During his ride outs, we realized how much smoother life was with the evening shift. This way he'll be able to spend more time with the boys when they are in good moods, rather then the 5pm meltdown that happens every day when he gets home from the academy.

I just wanted to tell someone that might understand. Only 5 weeks left until graduation. DH is SO ready to be on the streets.

[mama2annabelle]

Do you think your DH's income is more secure in this economy than it would have been in sales? Are the benefits better? (I'm just trying to help ya find a bright side.)

Yes and yes! Thanks for pointing out the positive! I've been feeling very negative lately. He was in car sales and we would definitley be struggling a lot right now if he still did that. Plus he has excellent benefits now which he didn't have before.

I'm surprised the pay is bad, where are you in FL? Is he city, county, state? Has he thought of transferring depts.?

He with the county...Sherrif's dept. The pay is decent, just not what we're used to. I shouldn't complain, at least it is a secure income.

[Valkyrie9]

Originally Posted by mama2annabelle

He with the county...Sherrif's dept. The pay is decent, just not what we're used to. I shouldn't complain, at least it is a secure income.

It's hard to get used to--it really is. My DH works for an agency that requires a college degree and a lot of technical skills, PLUS full certification as a state peace officer. We turn and look at State Patrol and they do not require a degree or the specialized knowledge, and their starting salary is about $2/hour less than what DH gets paid after being with his agency for 15 years. It kind of stinks, but you have to factor in job satisfaction, I guess.

[MamaStarbird]

Originally Posted by CheapPearls

Dh got his shift assignment for after he's commissioned! I'm SO happy. : He'll be working evenings Thursday - Sunday. This works so well for us and homeschooling. During his ride outs, we realized how much smoother life was with the evening shift. This way he'll be able to spend more time with the boys when they are in good moods, rather then the 5pm meltdown that happens every day when he gets home from the academy.

Congratulations! A shift that work well for your family makes SUCH a difference. And congratulations to your DH for being almost through the academy.

How is everyone planning to make Thanksgiving work? Anyone lucky enough to have DH home with them? Mine is technically working but he's got permission to be at home listening to the radio in case he needs to be called out. I don't think he's even going to have his uniform on. (And let's hope he doesn't get called out after dinner; there's NO WAY he'll be able to get his duty belt on after eating all that food!) My parents are coming up to help with the cooking, too, so even if DH has to go out on the road, I won't be sitting home alone with the baby.

[AkRotts]

I have to work Thanksgiving,: but DH has it off. At least I work 6am-2pm, so I will be home in time for dinner


Christmas is going to be difficult this year though. I get off at 2 and he starts work at 3, so we will pass each other on the road

I do have Christmas Eve off and he is trying to get it off, which will work

[SAHDS]

DH took tonight off, so he wouldn't have to sleep in til 3 pm tomorrow and also took tomorrow night off. Then he has his regular Fri./Sat./Sun. off too.

[onlygirls]

DH works tomorrow night but that doesn't affect T'giving. He leaves around 7:45 and everyone is done with dinner hours before that. I am bummed that he won't be home to watch the kids so I can do some Black Friday shopping. I'll figure out a way to make it work.

We lucked out with his schedule. He has Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, NYE and New Years day off. :

So far, it is nice having him work nights (graveyard) with our oldest in school. He can go to school events during the day, even though it cuts into his sleeping time. He doesn't miss anything because he is so grateful to have that option. The kids are in bed when he goes to work so I get ME time. Yeah, not a bad gig for the most part.

[monkaha]

Glad this thread is up and about again! Nothing to add right now, but subbing-I'm sure I'll be back.

Happy thanksgiving, all. Stay safe!

[AkRotts]

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!! I hope you all have a wonderful day!!!!

I just got to work and I am already counting down until I get off and can go home to dinner

[SAHDS]

How's everyone doing? I'm bored. DH picked up a few hours overtime and won't be home until 1. I think I'm going to rifle through some Christmas decorations