In "The Glass Castle," Jeannette Walls reflects on the importance of resilience and self-reliance through her own challenging upbringing. She illustrates how her parents’ unconventional lifestyle pushed her to confront difficult realities and learn valuable life skills. This narrative emphasizes that growth often comes from navigating struggles rather than avoiding them.

One notable takeaway is the lesson that one cannot always depend on others for support. As Walls states, "You can't cling to the side your whole life," which encapsulates the necessity of taking risks and learning to be independent. Teaching children to embrace challenges instead of clinging to safety is crucial for their development and ability to thrive.