Dear fellow teachers and others, I have been teaching for 22 years. For 10 of those years, I have been putting our 3 boys through college. Now that our youngest is in his last semester, I am starting to think about a new studio policy, and would welcome any thoughts or comments. My policy states that I do not give make-up lessons. "Regardless of how many lessons the student attends, the cost is for the total number for which the student is enrolled. No refunds, deductions or credits are given. Students are expected to attend ALL lessons, since a student contracts my time when he/she enrolls." I do provide a "swap list" for students to trade lesson times. I have felt comfortable with this policy for a long time... HOWEVER, and this is where I would like input...I would like to be able to travel with my husband when he goes out of town (several times a year). I do NOT want to have to "make up" the lessons missed should I go away for a few days. Obviously I also do not want to be unfair and charge for lessons when I'm not around! As it is right now, I charge a yearly tuition (all the private and group lessons and the recital) and students can either pay in Sept., Dec. & March, or make 9 equal monthly payments (not to be interpreted as "paying by the lesson"). If I were to "credit" the students should I go out of town, what is the easiest way to do this and how should it be worded to avoid misinterpretation? I want to avoid confusion both with students and myself, as far as bookkeeping, communication, etc. Or maybe there is another method for this that I haven't even thought of.

Thank you in advance for your comments.