Michael Psellos was asked daily questions by his mother Theodote, confirming his memory by having him tell her what he had learned, and staying up late with him as he struggled with his work. He felt the debt to her, which he had no way of repaying, and he thought that his father was similarly obligated to her as his collaborator and helpmate, the chief source of goodness in his life. Psellos found his father a good companion and useful role-model, but not intimidatingly good like his mother. Theodote interceded for him with the Theotokos, winning him divine favour. But she also began to see her family as a trap to keep her out of the monastery. Around this age Psellos first met Konstantinos Leichoudes