As some forumites know, I have recently had to postpone teaching commitments for a couple of weeks to undergo surgery, and returned to teaching two days ago. As I'm more or less off my feet (literally!) this is no small task, but I can manage with understanding from students (eg I teach sitting down, and they answer the door when a parent comes to collect them, etc). I am happy to do this, but what I am NOT happy about is the fact that two students in the last few days have not turned up. The first one I phoned yesterday, and she claimed not to be aware of the fact that I had resumed teaching - even though everyone had a letter giving specific dates before I went away. The second one I have yet to tackle.

And so to the question: should I charge them? Given that it was me that had to cancel, even for very pertinent reasons, and despite having offered opportunities when lessons could be made up during the "Easter" holiday, I am ditherng about this, and wonder if I should just let it go for the first week back. I charge by the week, and they pay in the lesson, and my terms and conditions state that missed lessons will be charged for except in cases of sickness. I am tempted just to let it go this time, but that could just be me being my non-assertive self.

What would you do?

Hmm. I have a similar but slightly different scenario. I confess also to dithering. So I thought I'd strike a happy medium and charge half a lesson fee. (It was a situation where I'd been given a bit of notice, but the reason for the pupil missing the lesson was not a good one - party or some such.)

I think it should be straight forward for you to charge full amount. After all, other pupils have turned up, and you gave written notice, and you offered other times to make up lessons. It just depends on how fit you're feeling and whether you're up to the "fight" to get your cash, and whether it's a pupil that you might feel particularly annoyed with.

I would say be a bit lenient, given the circumstances... ? At least just for the first while...

Difficult to say - depends on what your relationship with these pupils is like normally. Are they usually reliable and prompt payers, in which case perhaps you can afford to let this one go? Or are they the usual suspects who mess you around on a regular basis, in which case, charge them - you have given notice and offered alternatives etc so have no reason to feel bad about the lessons missed through your illness.

Thanks for these replies. These pupils are not the epitome of the ideal student, but they are not bad either. I haven't had too much trouble from them in the past, so I think I will let it go on this occasion. I can do without any confrontations just now.

I find it really frustrating, though, that even when they have the date in front of them in black and white, the parents still manage to be terminally disorganised. I can understand that it's a lot to organise when you have more than one or two children and more than one or two extra-curricular activities (been there, done that) - but in fact one of my best families (pay on time, turn up on time, let me know if they can't make it, etc) is a family with 4 children, and a fifth on the way.

Parents......who'd have 'em?!

Was the day the pupils failed to turn up Easter Monday? Do you usually teach on Bank Holidays?

Holiday times quite often cause confusion- routine goes out of the window, and if you have not been teaching for the previous two weeks it is possible this has added to this holiday confusion.

I find that many messages, even when clearly written down, are easily forgotten once regular routine is disrupted.

I'd personally let it go for the first time they do it and bring up the fact that they missed a lesson to merely state that you are not happy about it so they know. If it happens again they I would charge as it says so in your terms and conditions.