Older students without life coach
Found in: Coaches, Teen Students
Julia B., Canada
Hi Everyone,
At what point do you allow students to come to classes without their parent? I have two students, brothers, ages 12 and 13 who are in level 7. Their parents are very supportive of the program and the process, but the dad (life coach) is feeling like he just can’t make it work in his schedule any more and wondering if the boys could come independently. They are part of a group of 4, and could ride over with the other family. The boys are actually quite independent already, and the dad only plays a small role in their at home practice. My gut feeling is to give it a try, with maybe one parent coming once a month to touch base as we see how it goes?
Have any of you had experience with this?
Darla H., Kansas
Hi Julia,
I do not have any students coming regularly without a life coach, but I have a 13-yr-old girl who has been very independent for a long time. She is also in Level 7 like your students. Her parents come to the lesson mainly to show their support for the program and because of it being a requirement. They have to miss fairly frequently (maybe once every 4-6 weeks) with no repercussions. I know that if they needed to stop coming, I would definitely be willing to do it with Lydia. I have no doubt that she would keep up as well as ever.
I would be very careful about the message that I send to others, however, because there is no one else in my studio (of 28 students)–including some as old as 16–that I would allow this with. I would encourage you to set up a trial-period with the family, and make it clear that if expectations are not met during that trial period that they will have to find a way of getting a life coach there.
Julia B., Canada
,I greatly appreciate your input. I had not even thought about the impact of this decision on the rest of my studio. All the families know each other, and I could easily see people making an assumption that they get to drop kids off at age 13. As much as they all support the program, they all have errands to run! This is going to take some serious thinking through on my part. Our family is also very close friends with this family, so that makes it a little more challenging for me.
This is causing me to think again about the role of life coach. It is so much more than just making sure practicing gets done. These guys practice independently, but they are at an age where they are sure to hit some valleys. If they hit a valley, and parents aren’t at class, seeing the teaching/learning, appreciating the value of the lessons, I wonder if they will have the motivation to help their kids get through it?
Lots of food for thought for me!