A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius Essay

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Walker Edmondson Salerno T-Th 9:30 2-20-13 The Great Parenting Skills of Dave Eggers Dave Eggers has been questioned for his parenting skills since the publication of the book, “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius.” I cannot even imagine how hard parenting is. Thinking back on my childhood days, I don’t see how my parents didn’t have a heart attack. For a college-age male who just experienced great tragedy, Eggers does a great job of learning the ropes of parenting. Dave Eggers is a good parent because of his determination to provide for Toph’s needs and his persistent love. As a kid, I loved when my parents read me a bedtime story. If my parents read me a calming story, I had a sense of peace as I fell asleep. Eggers provides for Toph’s emotional needs when he reads him the story “Hiroshima”. Dave is even mature enough to read to his brother even after a disagreement. Dave even uses humor to lighten the mood. He uses crazy names for the seemingly mundane food items. He turns a grilled cheese into a “Gavin McLeod and Charo”(Eggers 86). When Dave gives Toph peace and laughter, he provides emotional support that will help him become a more well rounded kid. Taking care of basic physical needs is the baseline requirement of good parenting. Food, shelter, and schooling are important to a child’s development. Dave goes as far as he can to make sure that Toph is living well. Dave tirelessly works to find a good place to live for the family. Also, Dave asks landlords for fun places to go play with Toph. Dave asks, “Is there a park?” to a landlord so that Toph could get some exercise. (Eggers 73). When Dave provides for Toph’s physical needs, it frees Toph up to go out and have a normal childhood. Some say that Dave was too harsh with Toph. One might say that Dave should not use vulgar language around his brother. When Toph is struggling to get dressed, he

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