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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

Music teacher again...

30 replies

Worriedandlost · 10/12/2015 11:16

Need some view from the outside please....

dd1 was with her violin teacher for 3 years, rapid progress, excellent exam results. She is also doing second instrument.

ds2 (4yo) started his lessons in September.
I must admit I am still struggling to adjust to two children at school/after school activities/homework/one child has sp.needs/dh is working away the whole week. As a result ds2 music practice is not my highest priority and sometimes when I am short of time I just ignore it. But he seems to be better at it than I expected, so dropping the lessons is not an option.

I was away last week and returned only two days before the lesson and did not have time to practice again. Then at the end of the lesson teacher said "it is so offensive that you don't practice with him as my time worth more than you pay and if he does not practice there is no point in having the lessons". The tone of her voice matching the content of her speech-basically telling me off. Apparently I am not a new parent to her and surely dd1 would never had good exam results if I didn't control her practice, not being involved, etc.

Am I right thinking that this was over the top (esp wording as she could make her point in a more polite way) or am overacting?

OP posts:
ReallyTired · 10/12/2015 11:36

Do your children have the same violin teacher? Four years old is very young to start violin unless you are doing Suzuki. I don't think you need to control your child's practice so much as to show an interest and encourage them. The violin teacher was rude, but she does have a point. Maybe she has a waiting list of keen children wanting to start violin. Making ten minutes a day three or four times a week should not be that hard. Either you want your child to learn or you don't.

Lancelottie · 10/12/2015 11:36

How did you resists saying 'You're very rude'?

And if her time is worth more than you pay, that's her problem not yours.

hairygodmother · 10/12/2015 11:33

GOOD LORD.
Time to find a new violin teacher, perhaps?

Original poster
Worriedandlost · 10/12/2015 11:32

Yes, she is teaching both of them....
She is charging £44/hour and we are not in London Shock

OP posts:
hairygodmother · 10/12/2015 11:25

Seems a bit OTT to me. If she isn't charging you enough, she should do something about it. I totally understand about the not finding enough time to practise thing and I'm sure it happens to all of us. It does seem as though she's being a bit rude. Or is she very busy and very in demand? Did she teach your dd1 as well? Maybe she's just comparing them.