Posted by Amy: Here’s another thoughtful vignette from Alain de Botton’s “The School of Life.” While overly simplistic at times, Botton peers into the demands parents put on their kids for dutiful behavior, particularly related to school performance. He notes that the source of these demands often stems largely from a place of fear, something I’ve seen over and over again in my family therapy practice. And I like how he talks about the importance of pleasing oneself in regards to career; he notes how valuing our own pleasure and creativity is a key ingredient in making our “work” life a successful one. Agreed.