Why does the family always have to move ?

The family frequently moves around to avoid paying bills or having property repossessed. Young Jeannettte learns to think of the moves as adventures when she is told by her father that they are being chased by the FBI. Though her experiences as a young child are not ideal, in a sense her conception of what was going on at the time is idealized. This contrasts with the viewpoints of Brad and Lori, Jeannette’s two siblings, who seem frustrated and unenthused about the ‘adventure’ of moving frequently.