Honest Advice from an Electrical Contractor’s Wife

Honest Advice from an Electrical Contractor’s Wife

If you’re reading this, chances are you love someone who spends their days (and too many nights) building, fixing, wiring, or installing things — and you know firsthand that when you’re married to a tradesman, you’re in the trade too.

My name is Kathleen. I wear many hats in my family including mom, office manager to my husband’s business and wife of an electrical contractor. Running a trade business is not your typical 9–5 and being the wife behind it can feel equal parts rewarding, stressful, and, sometimes, lonely.

So, here’s my honest advice for the wives who hold it all together behind the scenes:

Just a heads up:
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. I only share things I truly use and love, and every little bit helps support this blog and our family. Thanks for being here!

1. Understand the Seasons — and the Sacrifices

Some months will feel easy: the jobs run smoothly, the bills get paid, and maybe you even get a full weekend together. Other months? Overtime, emergencies, or weather can flip everything upside down — and you may find yourself parenting solo more than you’d like.

It’s normal to feel frustrated or secluded in these seasons. Remind yourself: this is temporary. He’s building something bigger for your family — a future with more freedom and options than a paycheck-to-paycheck life could ever provide.

I have found that if I communicate with my husband when I am feeling frustrated or overwhelmed it helps to know I am being heard. Which brings me to my next piece of advise.

2. Communicate — About Everything

Money, schedules, stress, and plans — keep talking, even when you’re tired. Running a trade business often means unpredictable income, surprise expenses, and big dreams that sometimes feel out of reach.

Sit down regularly to check in and remind each other: you’re on the same team. When it feels like the business is getting more of him than you do, remember it’s not because he doesn’t care — it’s because he cares deeply about giving you all a good life.

Personally, I need everything written down to function. Whether that be events, important dates, the shopping list or even topics I need to discuss with my husband- I have to have a physical notebook to keep my thoughts in order. I find planner like these– really help me stay organized AND they are small enough that I can carry it around, so it is at my finger tips at all time.

3. Take Pride in the Invisible Work

Your support isn’t always seen — but it’s the backbone of the business and the family. The meals packed, the invoices sent, the late-night kid snuggles when Dad’s still out on a call — it all matters more than you know.

You’re doing big things, even when it feels small.

I often struggle with remembering that the things that I do in our everyday life are important too. At times it feels like I contribute less to the family. This is one of the reasons that I wanted to start this blog. It helps me remember all the things I do for the family and business while also giving me an outlet to connect with other women like me!

4. Protect Time Together

Trade work can swallow every dinner, weekend, and holiday if you let it. Protect the little moments: an unplugged meal, a quick coffee run, or a movie on the couch when the kids go to bed.

Some seasons you’ll feel like ships passing in the night — but the little pockets of connection remind you that you’re partners first.

We try to get a date night without the kids at least once a month. However, this is not always possible. When we feel like we need some one-on-one time we make a point to communicate earlier in the day so that after the kids go to sleep, we both know that we need to carve out a little time with each other.

5. Learn the Business Basics

You don’t have to climb ladders or run wire — but knowing how the finances work, how to handle a client call, or what a “change order” means makes you confident and valuable in your role.

You’re not “just helping” — you’re co-building something great.

Something that helped me when the business first started was reading books about business and specifically trade businesses. I found that The E-Myth Contractor was really interesting to relate to as a tradesman’s wife.

6. Take Care of You, Too

This life can be demanding — for him, and for you. Take a shower without guilt. Call a friend. Sit in silence for ten minutes. Go to bed early instead of folding one more load of laundry.

A well-rested wife behind the scenes is just as vital as a hardworking boss on the job site.

My personal favorite self care is getting enough sleep! These magnesium supplements have really transformed my sleep.