They just want attention. Give them what they want, and smile. Eventually people like that back off and will actually appreciate you more for putting up with them. You can win anyone over with a little patience, and a good attitude.
Not always, I'm afraid...

Show up 10 minutes early, every lesson for a few months.
.
Uh, the poster already has 43 other students AND DRIVES to all of them. Don't think that's an option...
If they do decide to quit, which I know would be a relief, at least they won't be able to sabatoge your reputation by calling you a flake, and still may even recommend you to their much nicer, and more accomidating, friends.
People like this will always call the opposing party all sorts of things, usually not complimentary.
MOM: Oh that joyfulmusic, she was always late, and ran over when I had to take lambkins to soccer practice (so much more imporatnt you know, builds competitive spirit so she can be a corporate tron team player and make mindless $$$, must subjugate the desire to be an individual. Music's only good for a hobby anyway) and interfered with her snack time. So disorganized...
Even the a-holes are clients, and people.
But they are people who are a-holes. Life is short. Steve is right, they're not worth it. Yeah the girl practices but she's already a lip smacking (I HATE THAT!!!

) little sourpuss, just like her mom, no doubt. Joyfulmusic seems to be doing just fine, except for this stress from these clients. 43 out of 44 is pretty darn good. I say dump 'em, just tell the mom that "I'm so busy AS YOU KNOW and the traffic from point A to your house just isn't manageable, and little lambkins is so wonderful, she deserves her full lesson time LIKE YOU'VE POINTED OUT, andhere's the phone # of someone who's ALSO very good and ISN'T as busy as me. I'm sure it will work out".
Joyfulmusic, if this is really bothering you, get away from it. It's not a shallow reason, if it's affecting your sanity that's not shallow. These people will manage just fine without you, and you better without them. There is another student out there who does his/her lessons and practices, and is pleasent and her/his parents are too!

Juliax, you have a great positive attitude and that's wonderful, but there comes a time where the line must be drawn with parents like this. You can't save everyone, I'm afraid. I had a similar problem about a year and a half ago, with one of my favorite students, but the parents were intolerable, traffic and soccer were issues (HAH! There is no real traffic here!!!

) . I miss the student

she was an extraordinary talent and a really nice kid but she is with a very good teacher now, so it all works out in the end, in this case happily for all, with no hard feelings
