I started a new 6 year old student last Wednesday after his mother called and begged me to open up a time for him. They had interview several months ago and he is a very bright 6 year old. I had to create an opening for him by asking one student to come 15 minutes earlier and another student to come 15 minutes later than usual. After clearing this
with everyone I was able to accept the student and he came for his first lesson last Wednesday. I let him choose between Piano Adventures and Alfred Premier; he chose Alfred Premier. He already knows notes in middle C position, so we're not starting from the beginning. I sent him home with an assignment sheet and a star to mark for each assignment
each day when he had performed it correctly 5 times. All my beginners do this and no one complains about the repetitions.

Tonight I got a call from the mother. She was wanting to withdraw him from lessons after 1 lesson! Problem: she can't get him to do the repetitions assigned. "He's got so many other activities its hard to get the practice in." Later in the conversation she revealed after playing a
piece once or twice, he gets tired of practicing and gets off the bench without finishing the assignment. She's a typical parent these days, I'm afraid, who lets the child decide what they are going to do, and if they refuse to follow instruction, throws up her hands and says there's nothing she can do.

I didn't see this coming at all. It probably wouldn't irritate me so much if she hadn't begged me for an opening mid-year. I told her that I wouldn't be able to refund the enrollment fee and the tuition for this month, so I felt it best if he comes to all the rest of the February Wednesday lessons, regardless of how much he's practiced. I'd like to
see where he is after 4 lessons with me, not just one.

How much would this situation bother you?

I've had something similar happen in my group piano classes. It's good that you had a non-refundable enrollment fee and that tuition for the month was already paid.

One thing I've learned: NEVER schedule a lesson time or re-arrange your already-set schedule to accommodate one particular parent. THEY are usually the ones who will flake out down the road.

Ugh! How long does it take to repeat an eight measure "song" five times? Yes, that's such a HUGE commitment! Wow.

I've noticed the same thing though, the parents who are the most demanding are the same ones who are the least satisfied (even when their demands are met) and most likely to flake out on you in the end.

Someone told me long ago - the people who ask the most of you are the first ones to take advantage of you.
It sounds to me like you dodged a bullet. I'd be grateful that the Mom saw piano wasn't going to work for her family. It doesn't work for everyone.

Oh - I just saw this! AMEN AMEN alidoremi! I'm a huge believer in this! And....down the road they never remember the sacrifice you made so stick to your guns!

I think we all have to learn this the hard way. I had a family too that I bent over backwards for - discounted lessons for them due to their economical situation, taught them for free, changed lessons days and times and I still got "screw-drivered" by them. Stick to your policies, don't rearrange for new students and be happy you have a non-refundable registration fee and month's tuition. Do the happy dance and be glad they're gone. Here's what I think is funny......lots of times after a family has "screw-drivered" you, they'll call back wanting lessons now.....I never have openings for them.

Yes! uh huh...preach it!

But - that is also because you were a professional! :-)

It seems like the people we bend over backwards for are the least appreciative.

If you are going to attempt to make the most of it for a few weeks - you m ight try to see if he can time how long it takes to play a song 5 times. It probably seems a lot longer than it really is. Compare to how long a TV commercial is - they never seem very long.

Excellent idea! Have a mini practice session in the lesson so the student and mom know exactly how long it takes! That is, if he comes back for another lesson of course.

Well.... I feel for you. I just had 9 people contact me (in the beginning of January) asking about lessons. I turned them ALL down because I had no time slots. 4 weeks into January one of my mom's tells me that they have too much in their schedule so they need to take a break until next fall.

I had to be honest and told her because she hadn't given me 30 days notice I had to charge for the following month of lessons (February). I also explained how many people I turned down 3 weeks earlier - and now couldn't take any of them! She seemed to understand, but we'll see if she tries to return in the fall. I plan to be "full" if she does call.

.... and during the little girl's lesson - she blurts out how her and her sister are starting basketball the following week. Made me realize that piano was the easiest thing to ditch. I found it no loss to lose them.