Phew!, lessons terminated Options

[chraze1]

Well I've sent my very first email to terminate lessons just over an hour ago!
I took on an adult and son in January, the father was having lessons every two weeks and the son weekly. They started on 23rd and 25th Jan respectively. Less than a quarter of scheduled lessons have actually taken place and I've completely had it with either a pathetic excuse or just a no show!
I've had everything from being unwell, working late, can't get a babysitter for my other kid and so can't bring this one to you, parents night which we've just remembered about (10 mins before the lesson time) (the kid goes to a school not far from here which my father in law is depute head of! parents night wasn't until March!, this excuse was in Feb!), and a total of three no shows between them!

Tonight I've had enough!, I've taken the soft approach of, 'our arrangement clearly isn't working and I'd advise you to look for a teacher who can offer lessons on an Ad Hoc basis, unfortunately this is my living and I cannot offer anything..Blah Blah Blah!
I'm keeping the, 'You are in serious breach of our contract..' incase he decides to come back all guns blazing!

I feel a million per cent better now I know that's dealt with! I wasn't even nervous pressing the 'Go' button on the email! God I'm getting tougher at this teaching thing!!

Have many of you been in this position?

[hammer action]

You've done the right thing and i'll bet it's a weight off your mind. I've had students like that in the past who don't think there's anything wrong with mucking me around. I've learned to be more strict. All lessons missed are chargeable (why some parents find this surprising is beyond me) and if they don't like it, they can go and find another teacher. If, say, five students cancel or don't bother turning up in a day that means i've just to go back home without being paid a penny? I don't think so! I recently had one who's father said it was unfair he had to pay for a missed lesson (he text me 5 mins into the lesson time to cancel) as he didn't realize until the day before that his son had a parent's evening at school and it wasn't his fault he had to cancel - not mine either though and why should i be hit in the pocket for someone else's lack of forward planning?!!! I've got a few adult pupils who continuously cancel last minute, and it just makes me question how dedicated they really are to learning.

I've learned through teaching for a while and talking to other teacher colleagues that there are a lot of people out there who will happily take you for a mug of they think they can get away with it. Some people have absolutely no shame, consideration or manners whatsoever.

Good for you! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)