Growing up, shows like Boy Meets World, Full House, and 7th Heaven depicted close families who trusted each other. The kids were always getting themselves into trouble with the parents right behind, to catch them and help them learn from what happened. The Walls family, while the children are close, do not relate much to these television shows. Especially considering tv almost always shows families that are more middle class than lower.
In my family, we were taught to spend time with family often and depend on and support one another. I can (thankfully) say that my childhood is not like Jeanette Walls. My parents didn't leave my siblings and I to cook for ourselves, there was always food, we've lived in the same house my whole life, and they both have stable jobs. I guess that's the key word to describe my childhood — stable. I wouldn't have it any other way. Many families struggle financially, and although my parents both have full-time jobs, unexpected problems arise. However, my parents never let us know if there was a financial problem. We understood that everything was fine, and they always got through it. Understandably, Jeanette and her siblings learned lessons from their parents and way of life, however in a very harsh way.
It’s important to have a good relationship with your parents.
In my opinion, Jeanette and her parents did not have a good relationship. Her dad always said she was his favorite child, but he’s never home and always drinking. Her mom isn’t nurturing. In contrary, I talk to my parents all the time. This is one thing I think most people don’t have with their parents, but it is important in my family.