I have just had a difficult conversation with a mum regarding piano lessons for her daughter, who I have been teaching for almost a year. The lesson has been one of just a couple of "home" visits that have done at the request of the parent since she has 3 other younger children. Over the summer holidays last year there were 2 occasions when I arrived for lesson at appointed time, only for there to be nobody in. Family very apologetic, and paid for the visits, which is in my T's&C's anyway. Into the autumn term, we had a couple of late-minute cancellations, and I (trying to be as accommodating and felxible as possible) offered to move the lessons to make up the lost time. Some of these were taken up, and some not. After christmas, another last minute cancellation, and lesson re-aranged for another day. No pupil. Texted mum to find out what happening, no response. At this point, I just stopped going to their house.
Several weeks passed, and dad comes on the phone, asking can they start again, sorry they are so disorganised, do they owe me any money etc. I agreed to as re-starting lessons per our previous arrangement with me going to their house. Approaching Easter holidays they say they are going to be away for the 2 weeks. The following week dad says child will only be away 1 week, and will therefore see me in a fortnight. Invoice for April ammended in their presence and handed to dad for payment at following lesson. I turn up for lesson, they surprised, as child has friend to play. They say they will of course pay, and again are very apologetic. Lest week, 90 minutes before lesson time, phone call from mum asking can she rearrange to saturday morning. Time agreed. Come Saturday morning, no child at appointed time. Sent text to mum, no response.

Am quite annoyed at this point , but rather than steaming in and getting cross, left it until this morning to phone again. Mum says she forgot, has a lot going on at the moment, and she only rearrangd the lesson to saturday rather than cancel it and pay me as I had previously "insisted" on rearranging! I did at this point explain to her that I do not like to take money off anybody for not delivering, despite it being in my Ts&Cs that cancellations are to be paid for, and therefore offer an alternative time in order that this does not happen. (am sure I didn't have said mum with arm twisted around her back at time to get her to agree to rescheduling!)

I then politely told mum that I thought it best if we call it a day here, as I was not willing to allow myself to be messed around any more. Her view seemed to be that since she was paying me why should I worry? She may well have a point, however it has gone beyone just being an issue about money. I feel that they do not respect my time as a teacher, or even as a busy parent myself with my own family to consider, and if I were to continue, I would always be expecting the same to happen again.

I don't have the cushion of a waiting list to immediately fill the vacancy, but to be honest, the peace of mind knowing that I have resolved the situation to MY satisfaction will outweigh the lost income.

I'm not a teacher, but no you are not being unreasonable. They are however.
Hope you get some nice students soon.

Thanks for that The remainder are lovely however, and more than make up for the odd bit of aggro!

You did the right thing, most definitely!
It kind of horrifies me that there are parents out there who disrespect teachers like that...would they walk into a school and behave like that with a Maths/English teacher? I doubt it!

Remember that no tax needs to be paid on a contented mind.

No, I don't think you were being unreasonable. Life's too short to put up with being messed about like that.

I absolutely agree! I think you're a saint for having put up with the situation for so long.

Glad to hear that your other students treat you better!

Hear hear! I think you've been very patient. A family that messes around with a time-slot so much and for so long is just too much hassle.

You were right to do as you did - they have been showing a complete lack of respect, however charming and 'scatty' they were.

I agree. There is only so much scatty charm that even the most affable of us can stand.

It amuses me that people think that the money is everything.

Mind you, if she got down on her knees and offered you £90 per lesson, would you reconsider?

What a great thought HG!

What, drop my fees?!! I guess we are all slaves to the mortgage at the end of the day in all honesty...but I'd take a term up front instead of a month, and have a watertight contract drawn up first

Thank you!