In her memoir "The Glass Castle," Jeannette Walls explores the complex dynamics of her childhood and family life. She reflects on how responding to children's tears can inadvertently reinforce negative behavior. By fussing over a child when they cry, caregivers may inadvertently teach that crying is an effective way to gain attention or get what they want. This idea sheds light on the challenges of parenting and the unintended consequences of certain responses. Walls emphasizes the importance of understanding behavior through a critical lens rather than simply reacting to emotions. She suggests that fostering resilience in children may involve giving them space to experience their feelings without immediate intervention. This perspective invites readers to reconsider traditional approaches to comforting children and encourages a more thoughtful, balanced way of nurturing emotional development.

In her memoir "The Glass Castle," Jeannette Walls explores the complex dynamics of her childhood and family life. She reflects on how responding to children's tears can inadvertently reinforce negative behavior. By fussing over a child when they cry, caregivers may inadvertently teach that crying is an effective way to gain attention or get what they want. This idea sheds light on the challenges of parenting and the unintended consequences of certain responses.

Walls emphasizes the importance of understanding behavior through a critical lens rather than simply reacting to emotions. She suggests that fostering resilience in children may involve giving them space to experience their feelings without immediate intervention. This perspective invites readers to reconsider traditional approaches to comforting children and encourages a more thoughtful, balanced way of nurturing emotional development.