Home alone with a child
Posted: 05 Sep 2012, 12:56
Hi. I suppose my subject line says it all. Is this dangerous? I'm a 37-year-old man, and the prospective student is a 15-year-old girl. They contacted me for private lessons, not through a school. I've been teaching and tutoring for 4 years at a small private school, mostly adults but a few children.
I hadn't even considered anything strange about it. Both parents work all day. My wife was very cautious when I told her. No contract, nothing written, just a middle-aged man in their apartment with their daughter, they're insisting on 3 times a week. Now they've told me that they have established French lessons on Saturday and Sunday, so they want her to have English during the week. It seems very unlikely they'll be able to have someone at home during the lessons, but my wife is insisting I walk away if they can't.
I've had 3 lessons with her so far. A friend of the family was present in the apartment the first time, but after that no. I don't think it has even occurred to the family that I might have a problem with it.
So, basically, this is my choice. Go to teach a 15-year-old girl 3 times a week with no one else present, or refuse entirely. Is this something to be concerned about?
Thanks for your advice.
-Chuckk
I hadn't even considered anything strange about it. Both parents work all day. My wife was very cautious when I told her. No contract, nothing written, just a middle-aged man in their apartment with their daughter, they're insisting on 3 times a week. Now they've told me that they have established French lessons on Saturday and Sunday, so they want her to have English during the week. It seems very unlikely they'll be able to have someone at home during the lessons, but my wife is insisting I walk away if they can't.
I've had 3 lessons with her so far. A friend of the family was present in the apartment the first time, but after that no. I don't think it has even occurred to the family that I might have a problem with it.
So, basically, this is my choice. Go to teach a 15-year-old girl 3 times a week with no one else present, or refuse entirely. Is this something to be concerned about?
Thanks for your advice.
-Chuckk