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I've been following this post for awhile, and I seem to have a different take on it than everyone else. Couldn't all the hard feelings have been avoided if the student's Mom had just communicated that she was changing teachers, not because of any dissatisfaction with chasingrainbows' teaching but merely because their schedules didn't mesh.

I would be more upset with the student's Mom than the other teacher. Yes, the student's Mom had every right to switch teachers, but isn't it just common courtesy to tell chasingrainbows the reason why?

Hi Sonataplayer, without elaborating on all the finer details, within a span of one week, mom advises (3 days' notice) she's dropping her slot and would like another day/time. My other available slots didn't work for her. She said she would then wait until until an earlier slot opened up, and also asked about private lessons. She is outside my area. Truthfully, I thought, as she stated, that she would wait (waiting period wouldn't be more than a few weeks) for a spot to open up in my schedule. Communication was poor as she never answered her phone, and took days to answer emails.

The issue for me was more the fact that the teacher, whom I shared recitals with, helped her throughout her transition into the store with all her questions and requests for music and ideas, never told me she was taking the student. Maybe I'm an idealist, but I think if more teachers said "well I think you should wait for an opening in your teacher's schedule", (or whatever situation), parents wouldn't constantly be changing scheduling and teachers. It's very frustrating for student and teachers. And I find it discourteous. I wouldn't be nearly as upset if this was just a teacher I exchanged hellos with.

If your colleague is as lame as seems to be the case, your student will figure this out and be calling you again in about a month. I learned this while living in an apartment. You'd always wish a certain annoying person was gone, and then poof, they'd disappear. It turns out those people can't hold jobs for long, or be stable at anything, so they end up leaving before too long.

For fun, you could try to get the student back by running a competition which you judge, and giving her/him first place!! Ha, ha!