Marcosslp

This is a consistent problem these days.

By way of introduction, I have been instructing the art of Aikido during the las 30 years or so. Formally, for the last 20. I'm 58 years old and my training was "old school". My first teacher made me start out in the children's class and do everything the kids did.

My second teacher in Japan did the same. He said, "If you don't want to teach children too, don't waste my time". That is his take on it. Me, I'm more ambivalent on the topic.

I've taught Aikido (formally) in Japan, the US, Mexico and in a Caribean Country that must remain nameless.

In my school here in Central Mexico, we have kids' classes 5 days a week but my son (24) does them. I will do them again in the future but that is the current division of labor.

I, however, am in charge of my own classes and the business in general. So, I have to interface with all of the students.

Our biggest problem is the parents (most often the mothers). I had a case of a mother who demanded to know why I had promoted another child (her's was also promoted). I sat down with her and tried to explain that (1) all promotions are MY decision (and I was tactful) and, (2) I attempted to explain our criteria for promotions that is, that there are many subjective issues related to the testing that she might not be aware of and, (3) it was not her child so any conversation would be between me and the child's parents.

She was rude to begin with but I was not sucked into responding in the same tone. However, she got really angry and said, "well, I guess that you don't really care about my opinion on the matter!"

As I mentioned, I'm a little older so I said, "Not really". Expecting her to ask for more clarification. Didn't happen. She has not spoken to me since and obviously ingnores me when I am in the dojo. Fine with me. She pays on time and never brings her son in late. Oh, there was another mother who was there with the same attitude.

I believe that every student is valuable. He son loves the classes and so do the son and daughter of the other woman. And, not having her speak to me is just fine. She (and the other mother) just love my son. So, I leave it alone.

However, if she were to cause me any further problems, I would not hesitate to dismiss her from the school. It is important to bear in mind that we are in the martial arts out of love for what we do. If a customer takes away from your enjoyment of what you do, it may be better to fire them than to just "take it".

BTW, the fact that a person pays on time is not a reason to accept bad treatment from that person. After all, paying on time and being on time to the classes is the LEAST of what they should do.

Regarding my locale. This is a fairly up-scale city with about a million inhabitants in the general area. Our students are primarily middle to upper-class. The rest are body-guards and private police.

The main problem is that parents are over-protective of their children (if that is possible). They are accustomed to being served. Big shock when some find out that WE run the classes, not the other way around.

I know how parents are in the US. But here, it is also a problem. Striking a balance between being a traditional MA teacher and a good businessman is difficult. But, you know, it is a good life.

My conclusion? Always be polite and professional but don't sacrifice your principles or training. Don't compromise. Enjoy what you do.

Marcos