Normal Schmormal

My Occasionally Helpful Guide to Parenting Kids with Special Needs

By: Ashley Blaker

Narrated by: Ashley Blaker

Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

The heartwarming and hilarious part-memoir, part-guide from comedian and father-of-six Ashley Blaker, on parenting, adoption and raising children with special needs.

‘We had such a variety of experts visiting our home, we really needed a revolving door. All these professionals would watch our son playing while shaking their heads and making tutting sounds, like builders considering a bad job you wanted them to fix. “Tut tut tut. No speech, disordered social skills, sensory issues. This is going to cost you!!”’

Ashley Blaker has six children, three of whom have an SEN diagnosis. Between endless meetings, countless therapists, public humiliations, failed playdates, surreal monologues and occasional violence, it’s certainly not what anyone would call a ‘normal’ household – but would he want it any other way?

Normal Schmormal is part-memoir, part how-to guide, highlighting the many challenges, as well as the hugely rewarding elements, of parenting children with additional needs. Written with humour, compassion and a lot of love, it’s a must-read for parents, carers and teachers of children with SEN, either looking for a bit of support or in need of a very big laugh.

©2023 Ashley Blaker (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

‘A very funny and honest account of Ashley’s extraordinary ordinary life. There is treasure here for all parents, non-parents and children of parents, and that is surely most people.’
Alex Horne

‘Great insights and advice for any parent, from a unique and fascinating family and their brilliantly funny dad.’ Katy Brand

‘Absolutely hilarious and yet so poignant. This book is going to both entertain and bring comfort to so many people, giving them hope for the future.’ Matt Lucas

Heart Breakingly funny

It is really funny but it’s also extremely depressing to think of how much effort goes into parenting. It has been very happy with my decision to never have children, because I would never have the strength that the author and his wife seem to have in droves.

Funny and relatable

Really enjoyed listening to this. As a parent of a child with special medical needs, I found a lot of the situations relatable (endless medical appointments, judgment from other parents, self-doubt, etc.). But there was also a lot of really hilarious cringey stuff that I was so glad was happening to someone else and not me! I recommend this book to any parent, educator or professional working with children of “special needs” or anyone who wants more insight into this population.