The Glass Castle BC #4 and 5

To survive, Jeannette Walls and the other children must endure the most unimaginable things. Jeannette mentions how everyone had to fend for themselves. Maureen was always at a friend's house. She wasn't sure how Lori and Mom were taking care of themselves, but they all managed on their own. She says, " I was pretty sure he [Brian] was rooting through the trash too, but we never talked about it." (173). Aside from rummaging through the trash, in what other ways did Jeannette and her family fend for themselves? Did they have any choice?