The Walls' parents don't really care for their children the same way Ma does. Their entire childhood is a series of stories and fantasy. “But Mom told us that the FBI wasn't actually 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” (Walls, page 21). Children learn to go with the flow and listen to whatever story their parents tell them. Just as Ma was the glue that held the Joads family together, Jeanette is the glue for the Walls family. She never stops supporting and loving her father, as the family grows apart and grows older, she is still everyone's focal point and encourager. “Mom liked to encourage self-sufficiency in all living creatures” (Muri, page 77). Children learn to take care of themselves, but can still lean on each other. With the Walls children always supporting each other, they have learned to overcome very difficult times