When I think about people I admire, the ones who come to mind are the ones who fought the good fight, so to speak and busted their butts to get where they are. What parent doesn’t want their children to have that grit and industriousness? It doesn’t only show up in academic work, but also in household chores. One kid does housework/yardwork until its finished, however long it takes. The other kid puts in five minutes and wants to go rest/play. I hope it’s not reflected in how they approach challenges later in life, but that is my fear. You alternate between worrying that you are not pushing enough or worrying that you are pushing too much. This worry is worse when you have to keep up with the Jones because it makes you think you’re the only one who hasn’t figured out how to straighten out your kid. Our school is not a pressure cooker like Palo Alto, but the struggle for balance is real, nonetheless.