Me Thinks

More on the subject of raising children and putting pressure on them, or not putting pressure on them:

Fulfilling a parent's dreams is too heavy a burden for any child.  Allow your child to fulfill his or her own fantasies, not yours.
The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids by Dr. Jenn Berman

Pushing too hard doesn't usually create geniuses, but it does tend to create anxious children.
The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids by Dr. Jenn Berman

Parents should want to be proud of their children, but be careful.  We cross an important line when we demand a predetermined or unrealistic set of accomplishments for our teens.  Parents who can't accept themselves--their own lives or looks or achievements--are especially at risk for wanting their children to be everything they're not.  It is not your child's job to live your dreams.  When we demand that our children carry out the family's ambitions, we are not just creating unhappy, pressured, self-defeating young adults.  We are snubbing God's wishes for our children.
The Blessing of a B minus by Wendy Mogel

A difficult lesson for many of us is that we have control over only one person:  ourselves.  We should not attempt to control our children, but through our courage to change our words and actions we can guide and teach them.
Raising Resilient Children by Robert Brooks and Sam Goldstein

We must separate our dreams for our children from what they are as individuals.  We must be careful not to impose expectations on them based on our own needs, interests, or goals.
Raising Resilient Children by Robert Brooks and Sam Goldstein