A parent of my students (she has two kids in my class) came last Saturday 20 minutes earlier than class time (2pm). She knew perfectly I needed rest because I "accidentally" met her in restaurant around 12noon and I told her I had to rush back to rest so I could have enough energy to have my afternoon class. Not only that, I have a note on my front door, saying "Do not disturb between 1pm - 3pm unless class time". Nonetheless, she brought her kids came right after their lunch and knocked my door. And after I let them in, she said: "we are earlier." Not even a "sorry".
I was not used to make people embarrassed so I said that's OK. I quickly let kids playing with some craft sticks and told her that I must go back to upstairs to rest until class start. She said Ok. So I went upstairs and lied down in bed until a few minutes before 2pm.
I did not take this as big deal first but later last night, I was thinking it is a big deal. Not only she came way earlier last time, she ALWAYS comes to pick her kids late. Since her kids just started coming to my class about a month ago, I could not tell if this would be her "hobby", but this past Saturday gave me an alert that she could do this more often in future. So I made my mind that I should let her know that this is not "OK". I sent her an email this morning, asking her don't come that much earlier than class time because I could not afford to be bothered, and I appreciate her understanding.
I predict she would not be happy and will stop taking her kids to my class, which will be perfectly OK for me.
Thing is, as one of my friends mentioned, that I have some "luck" to meet strange people. Guess I do. Some of parents of my students are incredibly kind, but the proportion between these two ends seems to be a little out of scale. But of course, people like this parent are rare, but they can do huge damage to my life (I admit that my current situation is a bit unusual). So, lesson learned. The only thing I can do is to either they change their "hobby", or stop coming to my classes.
Voila!
yunyi, parents are the biggest problem when teaching kids. I had the same experience while coaching gymnastics. Most are fine, but there are always those few who want so much special attention for their kids and themselves. I worked at a few gyms where the owners had strict policies about the gymnasts being dropped off and picked up on time and where the parents weren't allowed to stay and watch the practices. Long and sad experience had taught those owners that it didn't pay to indulge all the parents' whims.
ReplyDeleteGlad we have same experience on this. Yes, there are always many parents want their kids get more attention than others. I think those owners who set strict rules on schedules are all very wise!
DeleteGood for you, Yun. That woman has clearly disregarded your reasonable request for not being disturbed, so letting her know this isn't OK and to cease and desist is a good idea. She probably treats everyone with the same disregard and lack of courtesy. Sometimes you can ignore this kind of thing, but sometimes, you have to call people out on their bullshit.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris! You are right, "call people out on their bullshit". I think I am getting better on this. And doing this makes me feel good too, like I finally grew up and stand up for myself!
DeleteYou did the right thing, its never nice when people take advantage of others.
ReplyDeleteThanks Angie!
DeleteYun, you handled that perfectly! Your email to her was very reasonable and courteous. Unfortunately, that woman is one of those people (and I’ve known several over the years) who don’t listen because they are solely focused on their own needs. It’s likely that arriving early and picking up the kids late could have easily become her pattern, and it was good to nip it in the bud early. It’s right that you, as the teacher (and not her employee) set the rules since it is your class. You did the right thing! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Madilyn! You are right, that I am not her "employee"! I received an email from her saying she understood. Well, guess it worked!
DeleteGood for you! You did the right thing and handled it well Yun
ReplyDeleteThanks Hayley-Eszti!
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