On 4th December I am going into hospital for a major operation. I've been told I shall be in for 7-8 days, and then I shall be 'resting up' for some time afternwards. I was hoping this would happen in holiday time, but I can't turn down the opportunity as I may have to wait some time before another offer comes up.

I don't know how I am going to feel when I come out of hospital so I'm not sure when my next lessons will be. I hope that I will be able to continue within about two weeks, as I don't have to stand or walk, but it may be that I can't teach for the rest of the term. Thankfully, I have no pupils sitting for exams this term.

I really don't want to lose any pupils because of this, so how would others approach it - would you break off completely until after Christmas, and hope that pupils and their parents are sympathetic, or would you break for a couple of weeks, making appointments as usual for the following week and then cancel if necessary? I have, by the way, already been paid for the complete term.

Sorry - can't offer any advice, but hope the operation goes ok

I hope the operation is successful, Nannyjay, and that it's not too traumatic an experience.

I would, very definitely, cancel all lessons until after Christmas, and make sure all your pupils/parents know the situation so that you can start back later in January if necessary. Major surgery usually takes several months to recover from, and the anaesthetic can do funny things to your short term memory for quite a long time aferwards. I would give yourself as much time off as you think you'll need, and then some.

I would send out a brief letter to all concerned telling them that your hospital visit is on such and such a date a,d that you will not be giving lessons from..... until.......... Give yourself a fortnight off and see how it goes. I am sure that all of your pupils and parents will be more than understanding. Add a note to the effect that any lessons already paid for will be made up. I hope that all goes well for you and you will feel well again very soon. Take some knitting for Ianto's scarf too!

I hope everything goes well for you, nannyjay. With regard to the pupils - do you know another teacher who would be willing to "foster" them for a short while?

hope it goes well

I would definitely cancel pupils for the rest of the term, Nannyjay - it's only a couple of weeks till end of term anyway when you will be going into hospital and your long term health is much more important than a few missed lessons. I'm sure parents and pupils will be understanding about it. I hope all goes well.

Best Wishes for your hospital trip. Hope things go well for you.

Good luck for your operation!

You might well find that most of your pupils and their parents will be quite pleased to have the opportunity to finish the term early for once - there's normally so much going on for them in December anyway, what with Christmas concerts, carol concerts, parties etc. As long as you make it clear that the fees will be credited and give the pupils plenty to keep them going, it should be OK. After all, it's nowhere near as long as the summer break, even with the extra couple of weeks.

When, in 2000, I was taken ill very unexpectedly, requiring a hospital stay at no notice at all, my husband rang all my pupils/parents up (all 40 of them - what a star he was !) and simply told them no more lessons until we knew what was wrong and I was feeling a bit better. Because my students pay retrospectively for their lessons, fees weren't an issue but, in reality, they were all just lovely. Within hours almost the Get Well cards came flooding in, plus bunches of flowers and, when I got home, chocolates !

I'd write to them and tell them that you have to go into hospital for surgery and therefore you won't be teaching anymore now until after Christmas. In reality, most children will probably be glad of the break with the hectic end-of-term schedules pre-Christmas and they really aren't going to miss many lessons are they? I suggest you say you will carry fees forward and/or do your best to make up the outstanding lessons when you are fit to do so, hopefully from January 2007.

Major surgery is demanding and you will make a much quicker and better recovery if you don't try to push yourself to return to work too soon. You also need to be well enough to enjoy your own Christmas. I doubt you'll find any of your pupils/parents cause trouble provided you re-start in January. If that isn't possible then you may have to consider temporary cover for them. Cross that road if, unfortunately, you need to.

Take care of YOU - the pupils are more than able to take care of themselves. And, given that you know now what's happening, you can ensure you set them lots of work and targets to achieve in their extended absence.

Best of luck with the surgery.

Yes I was going to suggest that. Several years ago when I had to tell my clients that I would be off work for a few weeks, I had already made suitable arrangements for them in my absence before I told them, and the relief that I wasn't just going to abandon them was almost palpable. Similarly, the parents and pupils will be sympathetic, but human nature being what it is, they will wonder "what about me". If they cannot bear to go without lessons for a few weeks, they will find an temporary teacher anyway, so it might as well be someone you know and trust if possible. It shows how much you care about them, and I'm sure they will be all the more grateful to you.

Hope everything goes well. x

Yes - I'd send a letter explaining the situation, and no more lessons till at least after Christmas, which will give you chance to see how it goes between now and the new year.
I'm sure everyone will be more than understanding. I will be hoping to hear that everything has gone really well for you.
Above all don't worry - and look after yourself.
Lots of love and best wishes

M x

Best wishes for your operation.

Seconding these sentiments!

Thirding these sentiments! Look after yourself. Hope all goes well for you xx

Best of luck for your operation nannyjay.

Fourthing the sentiments... good luck!

I just wanted to say 'thankyou' so much to everyone for your kind words and good luck messages. I can't say I'm looking forward to it, but it will be good to get it over with.

I have decided to cancel all lessons until next term, and the ones I have spoken to so far have been fine about it - in face most are only missing two lessons, so it's not too drastic.

Fifthing the sentiments. I'm sure everyone will understand. I'm so pleased to hear you're taking care of yourself by cancelling the rest of the lessons. It's so important that you rest and give yourself plenty of time to recover.

Love and best wishes to you.

Amber
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