How well does mama understand her family?

Mama is proud of her family but understands that, like her plant, they are not perfect. She does what she can and is ready for their mistakes and successes. Mama knows that it was a bad idea to give Walter the $6,500 that was left from the insurance check. When walter squanders it in a bad investment I think she understood that, for good or bad, he was still her son. She revels in the fact that Walter refuses to accept the bribe from Mr. Lindner.