Michael Psellos (aged 12) was helped by his mother's questions & company when he studied late

Summary:
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 
Dates:
1030 
father of Michael Psellos (Anonymus 2134)
  • His wife Theodote 2101 was a collaborator and helpmate, and chief source of goodness in his life; he spoke as an equal to everybody else, but was always at a disadvantage with her Psellos Mother 19-20
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • He claimed to have seen Konstantinos 13 before he was fully mature, and was deeply impressed by him (:) πρὸ τῆς τελείας ἀκμῆς Psellos Leichoudes 391
  • He was asked daily questions by his mother Theodote 2101, confirming his memory by having him tell her what he had learned, staying up late with him as he struggled with his work; he felt the debt to her, which he had no way of repaying Psellos Mother 20-21
  • He found his father Anonymus 2134 a good companion and useful role-model, while he was always too far behind his mother Theodote 2101 in goodness to think of imitating her; his father's relation to his mother seemed similar Psellos Mother 19-20
Theodote, mother of Michael Psellos (Theodote 2101)
  • She was a collaborator and helpmate to her husband Anonymus 2134, and chief source of goodness for him; both he and Michael 61 always felt at a moral disadvantage before her; Michael felt debts for her help which he had no way of repaying Psellos Mother 19-21
  • She discussed his lessons with Michael 61, asking him daily questions, confirming his memory by having him tell her what he had learned, staying up late with him as he struggled with his work (:) Psellos Mother 20-21
  • She had enlisted God on the side of Michael 61, interceding for him with the Theotokos with passionate tears at vigils in the church of Ta Kyrou; he became a great philosopher (:) Anna Komnene 162.63-68