https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i A written memoir by Jeannette Walls en-us 2022-12-01 20:09:47 UTC 2025-10-28 20:38:31 UTC hello@padlet.com 3697731 https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2409675691 The story is centered around the Wall's family's dysfunctional life, specifically Jeannette's point of view. She discusses her early childhood up to her present life & how throughout all of their struggles and hardships they remain a family. They always found their way back to & were able to rely on each other when they were struggling, even if they didn't take it.]]> 2022-12-05 19:29:47 UTC https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2409675691 3697731 https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2409691526 "We may not have insulation," Mom said as we all gathered around the stove, "but we have each other."]]> 2022-12-05 19:42:21 UTC https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2409691526 3697731 https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2409701101 Although the children went to immense abuse & neglect, they understand that they didn't know much better, they did what they thought was the best for their children, and still expressed their love & support to each other. For example, during thanksgiving they were able to gather around the table and reminisce about the good memories they had about Rex.]]> 2022-12-05 19:51:23 UTC https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2409701101 3697731 https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2410981079 “Mom always said people worried too much about their children. Suffering when you’re young is good for you, she said. It immunized your body and your soul, and that was why she ignored us kids when we cried. Fussing over children who cry only encouraged them, she told us. That’s positive reinforcement for negative behavior.”]]> 2022-12-06 16:55:54 UTC https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2410981079 3697731 https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2410990517 After Uncle Jim passes, Rose Mary tries to get Jeannette to buy his land in memory of him and then she slips out and accidently lets out that she inherited land years ago that was possibly worth $1 million. Jeannette goes onto wonder if Rose Mary had sold the land when the children were younger could they have avoided all of the abuse and neglect that they had experienced. She begins to ask Rose Mary more questions and she doesn't budge and continues to hold off on giving any information. Instead of pushing it, Jeannette accepts the fact that Rose Mary's intentions of keeping Uncle Jim's land was good and isn't disappointed that she didn't put her immediate family first.]]> 2022-12-06 17:02:20 UTC https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2410990517 3697731 https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2410999186 "Jeannette," Mom said when she had accepted the fact that she would not get her way, " I'm deeply disappointed in you."]]> 2022-12-06 17:08:17 UTC https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2410999186 3697731 https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2411190563 Jeannette introduces one of her early memories when she lived in Arizona. She was cooking hotdogs unsupervised like she normally did when she felt a blaze of heat. She realized that her skirt had caught on fire so she yelled for her mom and was rushed to the hospital. After being in the hospital getting care for six weeks, Rex decides to check out without having to pay any fees, "Rex Walls-style.'' After leaving, Rex and Rose Mary allow Jeannette to go back to her normal routine of using the stove unsupervised. This incident led to Jeannettes fascination with fire.]]> 2022-12-06 19:30:47 UTC https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2411190563 3697731 https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2411228973 Rose Mary and Rex Walls had 27 addresses in the first 5 years of their marriage, they raised their children in unlivable conditions, rarely fed them, refused government help, and constantly had them in unsafe situations. Their non-conformity lead to child endangerment. Due to the families careless attitude towards improper living arrangements, there was an occasion where the family dog, Juju, got bit by a rattlesnake and died.]]> 2022-12-06 20:03:28 UTC https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2411228973 3697731 https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2411247574 "The only animals that could survive in Midland were lipless, scaly creatures, such as Gila monsters and scorpions, and people like us."]]> 2022-12-06 20:20:10 UTC https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2411247574 3697731 https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2411273578 Maureen was always reaching out for a parental figure but it was never received by her own parents. She struggled with mental health and had to seek guidance & support from her friend's family. Her family moved to New York and after she graduated she moved in with her parents. After only a couple of months, Rose Mary kicks her out which sets Maureen off & she eventually stabbed her mother. Maureen's built up resentment towards her parents had led her to finally resort to violence & hate. She eventually moved away and rarely communicates with her family anymore.]]> 2022-12-06 20:47:48 UTC https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2411273578 3697731 https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2413236804 "Each of the wall's family gave vent to all their years of hurt and anger, each unloading his or her own accumulated grievances and blaming the others for allowing the most fragile one of us to break into pieces." Maureen was always the one to blame and seen as an outsider and never given the proper care, including parenting and her mental health.]]> 2022-12-07 18:32:43 UTC https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2413236804 3697731 https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2413362566 "The neighbor lady who had driven me to the hospital was surprised that I didn't run the opposite direction from any fire I saw. "Why the hell would she?" Dad bellowed with a proud grin. "She fought the fire once and won." The Walls Family lives with no rules or boundaries which keeps everyone on their toes prepared for the next accident.]]> 2022-12-07 18:59:37 UTC https://padlet.com/3697731/4u59ewn4duc7376i/wish/2413362566