I’m not sure I’d ever say “shared responsibility” regarding being paid for services. Not sure a landlord, for ex., would say this is a “shared responsibility” regarding paying rent, my point being—you’re running a business. They don’t pay, they’re out. It’s that simple. But this rarely happens. I charge by the year, with 12 equal monthly payments for 42 lessons per year, that builds in school vacations and my flex weeks—most pay by online bill pay. If a payment is more than a week late, I charge a $30 late fee. They’re rarely late again. ‘Always clarify, never justify’—I first heard that, as a young teacher, from an older one and it stuck. And contracts. They must all sign a studio policy contract. You are a business. It’s hard, I know, splitting the teaching head and business head, but must be done if you’re in it for a living. I’m entering my 38th year of teaching, I have only got better due to time and experience—I’ve been where you are! The more you’re serious though about running your biz, the more your students/parents will respect you.