Had a parent ask if they could pay late, now things are awkward

[gravy_train]

You absolutely made the right decision. If you let it slide once it will happen again (and again). I recently added a very high late payment fee because almost every payday at least one family was paying me late. During the interview I explained that I was ok with Electonic money transfers but that I did not want to have to ask for my paycheck every week so please remember to pay me on time. It's degrading to have to ask for that money and I am not a personal banking assistant - as hubby says, the bank doesn't call to remind us that our mortgage is due. Anyway, the week after I changed my policy one family 'forgot' to pay me and I charged them the late fee. They understood and everything is fine. They have paid me on time every week since. RRecently, another client 'forgot' to pay me and I charged the late fee. It has been a bit awkward since because I think mom saw our relationship as more of a friendship... I'm hoping the awkwardness will pass with time. I find it hard to assert myself in these situations because I don't want to hurt anyone but in the end the amount of stress the late payments cause me warrants charging a fee.