Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying.

“It’s too much pressure to be on your best behavior for a whole month. The most I can really handle is six or seven days in a row.”

Greg is a flawed character who is prone to mistakes, and his lack of enthusiasm over being on his “best behavior for a whole month” indicates that he frequently gets into trouble. His glum, complaining tone in this passage also sets the stage for the many missteps that he is soon to make. His diary entries are full of anecdotes that focus on Learning From Mistakes or not learning from them at all. In both cases, Greg’s selfishness and lack of judgment are the source of many of his problems.

“And that’s just the kind of thing that happens in my house every single day.”

Greg makes this resigned, disgusted comment when the family accedes to Manny’s demand that they disassemble and reassemble the Christmas tree so that he can be included in the process. Greg resents the fact that the family is willing to make such a large concession to Manny, and he observes that Greg’s family life often revolves around what Manny wants. This aspect of Getting Along With Family and Friends is one that Greg finds particularly challenging.