Normal Schmormal

My occasionally helpful guide to parenting kids with special needs

By: Ashley Blaker

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.

‘A funny, irreverent and loving book’ Daily Express

‘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

Critic reviews

ADVANCE PRAISE

‘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

‘There’s so much love and good energy in this book. It had me smiling from the very first words.’
Adam Hills

‘Normal Schmormal is a laugh-out-loud, touching memoir of advice, where embracing the weird becomes something wonderful. Every parent should have a copy.’
Emma Kennedy

‘Hilarious, fascinating, and moving. A very special book about a very special family. I laughed and learned so much.’
Elis James

‘This is a must read. Ashley Blaker has a special brand of comic magic. His gift is in making the toughest life challenges seem relatable and even joyous.’
Rob Rinder

‘Funny and warm hearted, this book is a godsend for neurodivergent parents like me.’
Josie Long

‘Inspirational, moving and massively funny. A beautiful schmeautiful book.’
David Schneider

‘Ashley is a superb comic writer and this is a brilliantly funny and often incredibly emotional memoir.’
David Walliams

‘Full of love, this book is a unique and uplifting document of a remarkable everyday life. God knows how Ashley found time to write it.’
Mark Watson

‘Funny, moving and incredibly useful. This book can teach us all something about parenting.’
Lucy Porter

‘A vivid record of a father’s love for his children and a plea for others to follow suit, whatever their kids may be like. A gorgeous book.’
Jeremy Dyson

‘Chipped away at my ignorance and made me laugh at the same time. A neat trick.’
Mike Wozniak

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.

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.