O.........k...........

[DaycareMomma]

I'm going to guess that she is probably driving on a revoked license and cannot afford a law enforcement officer or her parole officer finding out. That would be VERY bad.

She could have also been trying to tell you in a way that is non confrontation, when she knew you were busy so you wouldn't ask questions. This way she feels good about telling you so that you don't hear it as a rumor around town or in the news paper.

Before calling your licensor, I'd try to find out from her if her license has been revoked, because then you are dealing with a bigger issue.

[daycare]

I had a DCB come in one day and say.....My daddy went to jail last night and flipped his car.
Huh what did you say? He said yeah daddy crashed the car last night on his birthday and the police men took him away. We picked him up on our way here this morning.

So I ignore it until pick up and ask the mom if everything was ok and recite what DCB had stated. She was super embarrassed. All true.

She did not think DCB would say anything and had every intention of telling me, but was in a rush in the morning and too upset to talk about it then.

Perhaps this mom told you, so that you would not hear it form the kid first and then have to explain any more than she wanted to.

[HeatherJ]

I can actually answer this one!!!
Ok, for the record, I have NEVER had a DUI. I just know the rules when it comes to breathalyzers.

To keep those convicted of a DUI from leaving their car running while they go into the bar (or wherever) to drink, and then getting back in the car when they are done (car still running) to drive home drunk, a breathalyzer will require what is called a "running re-test" if the car is left idle. If you do not take the breath test again when it is required, (or if you fail the test) it will record that as a violation & the horn will actually honk uncontrollably, and the vehicle will have to be shut off, and she will have to take another breath-test to start it again. But the violation will have already been recorded against her.
She could not "afford" to have a violation.
I am fairly sure that it has nothing to do with paying you. She is probably working on getting her driver's license back and cannot afford a violation against her.
Maybe she left the car running because it is cold outside? It would've just been smarter for her to turn the car off first. But for whatever reason, she didn't, so she needs to HURRY!

[sahm2three]

I can actually answer this one!!!
Ok, for the record, I have NEVER had a DUI. I just know the rules when it comes to breathalyzers.

To keep those convicted of a DUI from leaving their car running while they go into the bar (or wherever) to drink, and then getting back in the car when they are done (car still running) to drive home drunk, a breathalyzer will require what is called a "running re-test" if the car is left idle. If you do not take the breath test again when it is required, (or if you fail the test) it will record that as a violation & the horn will actually honk uncontrollably, and the vehicle will have to be shut off, and she will have to take another breath-test to start it again. But the violation will have already been recorded against her.
She could not "afford" to have a violation.
I am fairly sure that it has nothing to do with paying you. She is probably working on getting her driver's license back and cannot afford a violation against her.
Maybe she left the car running because it is cold outside? It would've just been smarter for her to turn the car off first. But for whatever reason, she didn't, so she needs to HURRY!

Ummm, if she isn't drinking then why does it matter if you have to redo the breathalizer if you shut your car off???

[HeatherJ]

Ummm, if she isn't drinking then why does it matter if you have to redo the breathalizer if you shut your car off???

Because when a car is idle, the breathalyzer will require random breath tests to keep it running, if she is inside taking off daughter's shoes, coat, etc, then she will not be there to breathe into the breathalyzer. If you don't take the running re-test then it will record that as a violation. Her driver's license will be suspended if she has any violations reported. She is likely working with a probation officer and the breathalyzer is part of a court order. She needs NO violations in order to keep her driver's license.
Yes, she could turn it off to stop the honking, and then start the car again by passing a new breath test, but she would still get the violation because she didn't take that running re-test, because she was in the daycare getting her daughter ready.

[SilverSabre25]

So then I don't get why she didn't just shut the car off in the first place?

[HeatherJ]

So then I don't get why she didn't just shut the car off in the first place?

Yeah, I don't get that either. There could be a number of reasons, maybe she left her lights on last night and had to jump-start the car in the morning and I know you have to leave it running for awhile after you jump-start it, to charge the battery.
Maybe it was really cold outside and the car has problems starting in the cold?
Or maybe it has problems starting in general?

I am sure there is some reason she HAD to leave the car running, because it would not be a good idea to risk missing that running re-test.

Or, she could have just forgotten to turn the car off. If this DUI of hers is new, she may just be used to leaving the car on while she brings her daughter in. And so it might have just been done out of habit. & then she realized that she had that breathalyzer to tend to once she got into the daycare.
Don't you just love solving mysteries of weird people??!

[Sunchimes]

Maybe she had already had a little sip or two before drop off?

[MsMe]

So then I don't get why she didn't just shut the car off in the first place?

to start the car you have to provide a breath sample and then someone (you or anther daycare parent WHOULD for sure see her doing this.) ...maybe

[Zoe]

That's all just scary. I never got the chance to ask her to clarify her very odd statement yesterday as someone else picked up. DH though asked me if I didn't just hear her wrong and maybe she said "dead battery."

Oh man. Can you imagine?! I would feel so stupid! Would make a heck of a lot more sense though....

[Ariana]

So then I don't get why she didn't just shut the car off in the first place?

My guess is that she was drinking in the car. I might be way off base but it makes no sense otherwise!

[Ariana]

That's all just scary. I never got the chance to ask her to clarify her very odd statement yesterday as someone else picked up. DH though asked me if I didn't just hear her wrong and maybe she said "dead battery."

Oh man. Can you imagine?! I would feel so stupid! Would make a heck of a lot more sense though....

:: That would be funny!!

[SilverSabre25]

My guess is that she was drinking in the car. I might be way off base but it makes no sense otherwise!

yeah...that's a distinct possibility.

weird.

I will NEVER understand people who stuff like drink and drive...

[JenNJ]

My friend had a DWI in college. She has a device on her car that allowed her to turn the car on only twice in a day Monday through Friday (once to get to work and once to get home). She had 4 "extras" for the week and she was told that was to fill up on gas. Makes sense. She had to walk or use the bus to go anywhere on the weekends.

[dave4him]

It amazes me how drawn out this topic has gotten
Its what i love about Parenthood, when you get the girls together they do a great job talking ... like... well girls you ladies are great