Parenting styles are often based on parents' beliefs and situation. Different choices can affect a child for the rest of their life. In the memoir “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls, Rose Mary and Rex Walls' parenting style can simply be described as protective of their children's thoughts, but rather lenient when it comes to physical issues. They are extremely focused on their children's education. They also try to protect their children from the harsh realities of the real world. Even though they work so hard to protect their children in this way, physical problems are not a major concern within their family. It is not uncommon for children to be seriously injured due to a lack of attention to the potential outcomes of a dangerous situation. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Despite the daily struggle of not having enough money, Rose Mary and Rex Walls are determined to educate their children. Rose Mary teaches their children reading and art while Rex Walls teaches their children math and science. They were so successful at this that Jeannette Walls ended up being significantly more educated than her classmates when she lived in Blythe. She stated, “I was in first grade and my teacher, Miss Cook, always singled me out to read aloud when the principal came into the classroom” (44). All three of their children have a high level of education for their age. Both parents also try to hide the harsh aspects of reality from their children. They managed to convince their children that stars were the best gift they could receive for Christmas, even though they were simply too poor to afford anything. Rex Walls tends to mask reality more than Rose Mary. He told the children they were constantly moving because FBI agents were chasing him. However, Rose Mary “told [them] that the FBI wasn't really looking for Dad; he just liked to say they were because it was more fun to have the FBI on your tail than bill collectors” (19). Rex and Rose altered reality in this way to protect their children's emotions. No child would react well to being told that he or she is too poor for Christmas or that his or her dad can't hold down a job because he's an irresponsible alcoholic. These little lies are a feeble attempt to make their life a little better. Rose Mary and Rex Walls are preparing their children for a different future; they know that kids will have to work incredibly hard to succeed. If they started now, a chain of poverty could be avoided. Rose Mary and Rex Walls work hard to try to create a good future for their children, but both parents seem to be less concerned when it comes to injuries. Their main philosophy is to end it when you're young and learn your lesson. This harsh philosophy is displayed even with very young children. Jeannette managed to set herself on fire at the young age of three while cooking hot dogs by herself. His younger brother, Brian, fell off the back of the couch and cracked his head on the floor a few days after the fire incident. The only comment Rose Mary made about these injuries was “it only takes one child at a time in the hospital” (13). This wasn't the only time Jeannette was injured as a child: When she was four, she fell out of the car while her father was driving. After waiting for a while he came to the conclusion that “[t]hey might decide it wasn't worth going back to get it” (30). No child would get to this.