I thought last year was bad!!! My how I wish I could go back in time!!! I am having some serious problems with one particular parent and can't let it continue one day more.

First off, it has been brought to my attention by a few moms that she's banding a group of parents together to all come at me with their concerns. She's literally going down the directory calling each and every parent getting then to side with her and her complaints and concerns!!!! She is claiming they all have their foot out the door and you should come on board with us!!! If she has concerns or is unhappy then why can't she come to me or leave herself??? She hates the costumes, has concerns sbout out faculty (but mind yoi, i have already made numerous staff switches to accompdate her complaints), thinks placements are are all wrong, i could go on for hours. I can't tolerate her putting poison into the team but am nervous about the meeting that must take place!!!

Next, I just recently had a child and some horrible comments have been made about me and my child by her!!! Ive heard "i can't believe she pays money to have her daughter taught by a fat butt" (when I was pregnant), "I can't wait until this place turns into a daycare with her bringing THAT BABY" here. Etc....it's my studio and my child is welcome there any day of the week!!! The baby stays in the waiting room so how is that affecting my instruction?? And I taught until I went into labor, and I don't know how anyone could be so cruel as to saying the things she said.

I know she'll deny deny deny but something needs done and fast!!! She has already voiced her concerns to me and they have been addressed but now i hear this and its gotten worse!!! For the well being of my business I can't have her causing trouble this way and banding parents together to leave!!! Help please?!?!?!?!

Inform her in writing:
It has come to my attention that you have concerns about the quality of instruction at my studio. Since we do not appear to have the same standards your daughter is immediately discharged from our program. Enclosed is any tuition you are owed as a refund.

J1ll wrote:

Inform her in writing:
It has come to my attention that you have concerns about the quality of instruction at my studio. Since we do not appear to have the same standards your daughter is immediately discharged from our program. Enclosed is any tuition you are owed as a refund.

I might reword it, "It has come to our attention that you have concerns about the quality of instruction at ABC Studio. While we have reviewed these concerns, we are not able to accommodate your requests. Effective immediately, we are discharging your daughter from our program and have enclosed your refunded tuition."

Mostly, I took the OP out of the situation and gave it the old corporate "we".

Honestly, it doesn't matter what you say, as this parent is going to put up a fight. I would NOT argue point by point, but just keep repeating, "We are not able to accommodate your requests and will be letting you go."

I would be mentally prepared that she will continue to kick up some dust on her way out. She is likely to continue calling your clientele and saying nasty things, but after a few weeks things should calm down. I would just continue business as usual and encourage anyone to come to you with concerns.

If you decide to do it in person, have a witness. Doesn't matter who - anyone of age will do.

And you may want to give a heads up to the moms of the girls in her class - Polly Prissypants has been released from the school effective immediatly. If she contacts you, and you become concerned with anything she has to say, do not hesitate to contact me at any time. Don't engage her, don't suppose on what she's going to say to them, just "I would expect to hear from her, I'll be happy to discuss anything she might say." For alot of the parents that are just following along anyway, hearing that you're willing to shoot down anything she starts will be calming in it's own right.

I agree with keeping it corporate & short, & with having a witness if you have a meeting with her in person. If you send a letter, keep a copy for your records, & send it certified mail with the thing that she has to sign to prove that she received it. You may want to make sure there is another adult around for the time the daughter is usually starting her next class, in case they show up to cause trouble. If she continues to stir up trouble, document everything.

I went through hell the last year & a half over being sued by a client whom I dismissed from my studio, & these were the things that helped me WIN against them in court! Mine was a worst-case scenario, but it can't hurt to protect yourself just in case. If she makes a scene, don't hesistate to call the sheriff, either.

Agree with everyone else. Don't try and win this; you won't. She is cancer. Just show her the door. DO NOT have a meeting with these parents unless your SO is there with you. I made this mistake, and it was a disaster. She has gotten the moms all worked up, and they will turn on you like a pack of wolves.

I would also suggest never being at the studio by yourself. Always have your SO, another staff member, hubby, or someone else you trust there at all times. You just never know.

I would write: "We've heard you are not happy with our studio. We are sorry to hear that, but understand you would like to move elsewhere. That is no problem, we will fully cooperate with that. We have unregistered your daughter today and hereby you find the money we owe you. We wish your daughter the best for the future."

Don't even dignify this behavior with a meeting, or by addressing particulars.

As you said, this is YOUR studio. If you want to bring your baby to the studio, by all means do so. Many young mothers find it charming and comforting to have another young mother to relate to when shuttling their children to lessons and activities. I worked at a florist years ago and the owner brought her baby boy there everyday. Often, breastfeeding moms would stop in and ask if they could feed their baby. It was a safe haven for them and they became good customers for years to come. This woman has children of her own and she refers to your child as, "THAT baby"? This is not a happy person.

As for the costume issue, if I had serious objections to a costume assigned to one of my own children I would bring it up to the SO immediately. However, the only legitimate issues are modesty, and age appropriateness. Beyond that, this is show business, not a wedding. Everyone doesn't love every costume every time.

I've had people with "religious objections" to many issues and the more I tried to please them the more ridiculous their demands became. I bent over backwards to accommodate the child all year and then they left anyway. They objected to an American flag in the window on Memorial Day...and we were closed!

It sounds like this woman is at the very least, ill mannered. If she is unhappy, why does she pay you? She wasn't "assigned" to your studio and neither were her children. If I don't like the food at a restaurant, I don't eat there. It isn't up to me to rally the other diners to rebel. As for the "fat ass" comment, this is just classless, immature, and shameful. The people who came to you with this must have found this just as offensive as I do.

Does this woman really expect that she can raise the rabble and insist that you run your business the way she wants you to? Perhaps she should start her own studio. I don't know of a single business person who takes orders from a single outsider. Of course we must be sensitive to the needs and wants of our customers or we won't have customers, however we work for ourselves, not any self appointed critic.

Don't gossip about this situation to others, even if the malcontent started stirring up trouble on one subject or another. If a parent comes to you with a question or a concern, address it professionally and stick to the issue. If they say, "Mrs. Malcontent says, '____ '," simply smile and say, "She doesn't work here". It is hard to remain calm, I know, but some of the worst mistakes I've made have been in situations like this when my feelings are hurt and I've been backed into a corner to defend myself and my policies.

You are a professional. You are responsible for the finances and reputation of your business. Kick this woman to the curb and go about your business without being pulled down into a mud wrestling match with this classless individual.

Enjoy your baby...they are only young for such a short time and I,for one, am glad you spend every possible moment loving mommyhood. xoxo

Keep On Dancing*

ps I meant to say this in the beginning...when you give this woman the old "heave ho", don't even say, "I heard", or "It has come to my attention". You are not a gossip and you don't reply to rumors. I'd write this...

We are sorry we are unable to meet your expectations for you child's dance education. We wish you both well at your new studio.

Keep On Dancing*