I started teaching piano to my niece a few years ago and really enjoy it. After teaching her for a while a neighbor asked if her daughter could take from me and that also worked out well. I feel like I am a pretty decent teacher and do not charge very much, but I do require that the parents watch my kids during the lessons since I obviously have very young children.
Well, since then I had 3 students from one family and the mother did not regularly come to babysit and we had to chat about it. My kids need someone to watch over them if I am to give my full attention to teaching. She was surprised and a bit offended I believe and decided to drop out although I had made it known what I needed. She then changed her mind and did come and babysit and we both tried again. Well, it ended up not working out because her kids did not want to practice and did not want to come each week.
Now I have 4 new students all from one family with 2 teenage girls who are supposed to babysit my kids and up until this week (3 lessons worth), my daughter just cried in the basement almost the entire time until I would finally go and get her and just keep her with me. I had a nice chat with the mom this morning and luckily she was really easy to work with and we were able to work it out a little better today. I did not hear a peep from Allison the whole time! Also, when the mom talked to her teenage girls, one did decide that she didn't want to invest the time to really babysit my kids and has decided not to take lessons which is fine.
Since I had such great experiences with the first 2 students, I thought it would be a breeze for everyone. I have now learned what will work and what will not and how it needs to be for me and my children to feel comfortable :) Since I do not need to teach piano to support my family, it is more like a hobby and I want it to be enjoyable!
10 years ago
6 comments:
I agree. Piano is fun under certain circumstances. By the way, I love the picture of Tim and Allie on your blog.
I was wondering what you did with your kids while you were teaching piano. . . that's a pretty good way to do it. . . . random question for a piano teacher-what age do you reccoment kids start taking piano lessons?
My advice is when they definitely know their alphabet and they have an entire half hour attention span to devote to learning. I am teaching my nephew who just turned 6 today and a half hour is almost too long for him and he asks over and over how many minutes until we're done and is quite wiggly. I also have a 7 almost 8 year old who is also very wiggly and can't sit still and wonders when it's over whereas her twin sister is just fine and doesn't wiggle as much and does really well. So, I think it's a matter of the parent knowing if their child can sit somewhat still, listen and learn for an entire half hour! Hope this makes sense!
As a side note, the twin girl's mom watched the piano lessons this past Wednesday and after seeing her daughter wiggle and wiggle, she asked me, "Is my daughter always this 'squirly'? I told her yes and we both laughed!
This is good to know! I was wondering about what age as well. How are you doing? When is the big FIRST birthday party? Has she had it yet?
Makes sense-thanks.
I am so glad to hear that after talking it over and being totally honest with the parents, you were able to work it out. I feel that if people would be more upfront about their feelings we would have less conflict and more unity.
Good job Janelle!
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