Heather, The economy is expensive these days and if you were to look up other home school teachers' salaries, you'd be surprised at what they charge. Let's face it, they know things are going up, not down, so they should realize that your salary will too.
You don't owe them any explanation but to say that due to the economy and my expenses to home school, I will be charging $$$ and it will be payable at the first of the month. If not paid on the 1st, there will be a late fee incurred in the amount of $...each day it is late.
Heather, you are running a business and a business can't profit if the manager is soft hearted and takes on every sob job out there. Be firm, don't share your personal business w/them because it's not relevant to your time and money spent on having the children in your home in a nice, cozy and warm environment.
Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to. The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.
