Rex Walls would rate the following on the parent’s top ten parenting skills: Love and affection -8, Stress management -3, Relationship skills -5, Autonomy and independence – 9, Education and learning – 9, Behavior Management -2, Health -0, Religion -0, Safety -1. Rex Walls’ strongest qualities include his love and affection toward his kids and also his teaching of autonomy and independence. We see his love and affection for his kids as he tries to think of the most thoughtful gifts for them, for example when he told each one of them that they could pick out a star to keep. Another example would be when he attempted to stop drinking because Jeannette asked him to. Because he loved her and wanted her to be happy, he tried really hard to quit. He also teaches his kids independence by allowing them to almost fully take care of themselves in their early childhood. We see this throughout the book as we see the kids try to find food for themselves, cook for themselves, like when Jeannette caught on fire, and basically take care of themselves. We also see him being supportive. For example, when Jeannette got her journalism job, her father was very excited for her and wanted to help.

Rex’s poorer qualities include Life Skills and Safety. As a man I believe that it was Rex’s responsibility to provide for his family and it was obvious that he didn’t as the kids grew up living in total poverty, often living with worn, unfit clothes and uncertain of where their next meal would come from. Secondly I believe it was his duty to make sure his kids were safe, which I don’t believe he spent the time to ensure their safety. For example when the girls at school were bullying Jeannette it was her brother that defended her, not her father.

Rose Mary on the other hand would rate on the parent’s top ten parent skills as follows: Love and affection – 2, Stress Management – 8, Relationship Skills – 9, Autonomy and independence – 3, Education and learning -3, Life Skills -0, Behavior Management -3, Health -2, Religion -8, Safety -2. Rose Mary’s strongest qualities include stress management and relationship skills. Rose Mary helped her kids learn stress management by enjoying an activity she was passionate about: painting. This art form is a very relaxing stress relieving activity especially when it is one’s passion. Through this she taught her kids to pursue what they enjoy doing. Secondly she showed them good relationship skills by remaining faithful to her husband despite the circumstances.

Rose Mary’s poorer qualities include health, love and affection. Rose Mary never made sure that her children took baths and were bathed on a daily basis. Also she was never very affectionate toward her children as she was consumed in pursuing her own career as an artist.

When choosing between comfortable living conditions or an intellectual environment, its hard to live a balanced life without both. However if I had to choose one I think I would choose an intellectual environment because that way you have the intelligence to be able to get somewhere in your life and do something useful with it. There are plenty of people who live comfortably and get everything handed to them yet don't know how to take care of themselves or how to make wise decisions. Therefore, although it would be tough to live uncomfortably I think it would be better than not knowing how to take care of yourself and living hopelessly and lazily on the couch all day.

Adults can do whatever they want when they are relieved of their responsibilities. For example, when having kids you commit yourself to a number of years devoted to your kids. I don't think you are prevented from doing anything for yourself but your priority is your kids. Adults can do as they please as long as all responsibilities are taken care of. This of course applies to every person though responsibilities tend to be greater and more important as a person gets older.