If your kids are in lessons

[DevaMajka]

like piano, karate, etc, how do you feel about classes ending on time? Do you prefer for classes to end right on time? Or do you appreciate when the teacher spends extra time with your child (without paying any more)?


Also, this isn't in the poll: How would it affect your opinion if the class started late, because of either you or the teacher. I'm thinking of private lessons, but I'm sure this would apply to group lessons as well.

[GuildJenn]

The class should never start late because of the teacher (barring some huge problem). So if it started late 'cause of the teacher I'd expect the same length lesson. And if it were more than 1/3 of the time late (so 10 min of a 30 min lesson) I'd expect a free one.

If it were late because of me I'd expect it to end on time.

[earthmama369]

It depends on whether or not I have somewhere else I need to be after the lesson. I prefer classes to start on time and run the full length we've paid for (or, as a teacher, that I have been paid for). If they go over, as long as we don't have other obligations and the kids are still having fun, that's a wonderful gift from the teacher.

[lilyka]

i need lessons to end on time. I don't have time to waste sitting around waiting for a lesson to end. I have other kids and responsibilities.

and I most certainly expect them to start on time.

[Cascadian]

Rarely had teachers who start late. Almost all teachers of young kids are prompt, IME.

I don't mind 5 min late. Any longer and I get antsy. Too much to do.

[Mama2mc]

I like them to start on time and end on time.

[theatermom]

I prefer that they start and end on time. I have young kids -- by the time a lesson ends, the ones not participating are usually ready to go and I've used up my mommy tricks. I don't mind the occasional extra time, though, if we don't have anywhere else to be, and the teacher is spending a little extra time on something my child is interested in.

[ollyoxenfree]

I don't expect classes to extend if we are late, but I appreciate it if they do. I expect class time to extend to a normal length lesson if the instructor is late.

Fairly frequently, instructors have given us extra time for music lessons, to make sure my child was really getting something or to explore something a little further and I've always been very grateful. Last year, DD's violin teacher often kept her longer - up to an extra half-hour some days. I'd usually just tell her at the top of the lesson if we couldn't stay late that day.

[Linda on the move]

I expect lessons to start and end on time. I have multiple kids and multiple responsibilities.

[velochic]

I don't mind, but then again, I have an only and usually a fairly flexible schedule. The only lesson dd has right now is horseback riding and while it's scheduled for 1 hour, she's often there +1.5 hours because of caring and grooming that's involved. We purposely keep the activities at a minimum to be more flexible. I'm not cool with strict schedules. It would stress me out too much.

[Bluegoat]

In general we like to start and end on time, because I have to entertain the toddler, which can get tricky at times. If the instructor asked at the beginning if finishing later was ok, it wouldn't bother me and I'd make that work if possible, and be appreciative.

Dd1 does do riding lessons, and that is a bit more flexible - because grooming can take varying amounts of time, and it is a long drive for us, and the teacher has a toddler too. But since it is easy for my other kids to play around the barn, it isn't a problem, and we just plan for it.

[mamazee]

Generally speaking, I like the lesson to end right on time. I usually have something I have to do immediately afterward (like make dinner.) I would appreciate their willingness to spend extra time, but I don't know how well that would always fit into the reality of my life.

[lolar2]

I think this is regional to some extent, so if this is something you need to know for professional or planning purposes, it would be a good idea to ask around IRL as well.

[laohaire]

We have one child and we choose to live a life without much time pressure. We love it when DD gets extra time at a lesson or activity.

Naturally I completely sympathize with the needs of other parents who have other kids and busy lives. Just for us, we're not in a rush.

[One_Girl]

I am fine with the lessons lasting only the amount of time I am paying for. I try to respect the teachers time by being on time and they respect my time by ending on time. Late happens sometimes but I expect it not to be a constant thing.

[ChetMC]

Late Classes

For classes starting late, it depends on how late. I don't care about four or five minutes. I would care more about fifteen or twenty minutes for a class that's only a half hour.

If a teacher is the sort of person to let a class run over though, I accept that other classes starting late may go along with that.

I'm not the sort of person to get worked up about a couple of minutes on either side. If the teacher is a good teacher that matters a lot more to me than watching the clock. I like it when teachers end classes at a natural point, and have a feel for when the student is done.

[Lisa1970]

I cannot stand when a class starts late and then ends on time. Or when it ends early. Or when the teacher takes a break to take a call or something during the class, then still stops right on time.

[daytripper75]

It all depends on where we have to be afterwards. I need school to let out on time so I can go to the next school to pick up my other dc. Piano, sports, etc it doesn't matter to me if they let out late.

[claras_mom]

I expect classes/lessons to start and end on time.

I'm in music. I spent my childhood going to lessons, ultimately driving myself 40 miles round trip to get there. but before I could drive, my mom or sister had to do it. It was important that we all stick to the schedule. In my teaching, if I can't cover what I need to in the allotted time, then I suggest a longer lesson (granted, since I'm at a university, it doesn't mean more out of pocket expense for the student).

[sunnmama]

My dd's guitar teacher comes to our house. He is always early (5 min or so), and often stays a little late. When he does so, it is because dd is intently focused on learning a new skill, and he is intently focused on helping her. I think it is great when that happens, because it shows how much both of them enjoy the lessons and working together.

Occasionally we have a reason to end the lesson exactly on time, and then we just step in to end it: "So sorry, but we have to rush out of here in 2 minutes. Dd, time to put away your guitar."