Normal Schmormal
My Occasionally Helpful Guide to Parenting Kids with Special Needs
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Narrated by:
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Ashley Blaker
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By:
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Ashley Blaker
About this listen
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 (P)2023 HarperCollins PublishersListeners also enjoyed...
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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
‘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
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Mike Wozniak
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Story
Have Yourself a Very British Christmas is a 12-stage sleigh ride through the best, worst, strangest and funniest aspects of the Christmas holiday, with cultural icons saluted, national habits dissected and personal reminiscences from those who've eaten all the mince pies and lived to tell the tale. The essential Christmas stocking filler for every Brit who's ever found themselves on a deflating airbed wedged up against the washing machine in their parents' spare room come Christmas Eve.
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Great Christmas Fun
- By Robin L Childs on 11-13-20
By: Rhodri Marsden
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How Did All This Happen?
- By: John Bishop
- Narrated by: John Bishop
- Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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If you're a man of a certain age you'll know there comes a point in life when getting a sports car and over-analysing your contribution to society sounds like a really good idea. With a good job in sales and marketing and a nice house in Manchester that he shared with his wife and kids, John Bishop was no different when he turned the dreaded 4-0. But instead of spanking a load of cash on a car that would have made him look like a senior stylist at Vidal Sassoon, he stumbled onto a pathway that ultimately lead him to become one of the nation's best loved comedians.
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Heartwarming and Funny
- By Nancy Burnett on 12-01-22
By: John Bishop
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A Thousand Roads Home
- By: Carmel Harrington
- Narrated by: Jill Crawford, Frank Grimes
- Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Meet Tom. Or Dr O’Grady, as he used to be called. When you pass him on the street, most people don’t even give him a second glance. You see, Tom isn’t living his best life. Burdened by grief, he’s only got his loyal dog, Bette Davis, for company and a rucksack containing his whole world. Then there’s Ruth and her son, DJ, who no longer have a place to call home. But Ruth believes that you can change the world by helping one person at a time - and Tom needs her help. There are a thousand ways to find your home - you just need to be brave enough to look for them.
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Couldn't put it down
- By Allison Swart on 09-22-19
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The Well-Behaved Child
- Discipline That Really Works!
- By: John Rosemond
- Narrated by: Chris Sorensen
- Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
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In The Well-Behaved Child, beloved psychologist John Rosemond shares his seven essential tools for raising a child who pays attention and obeys. Once you learn how to use his proven, user-friendly techniques, you'll have everything you need to deal effectively with a wide range of discipline problems in children ages three to thirteen, what John terms "The Decade of Discipline". This clear, step-by-step program includes:
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Empowering
- By Emily on 10-13-20
By: John Rosemond
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The Year of Living Danishly
- Uncovering the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country
- By: Helen Russell
- Narrated by: Lucy Price-Lewis
- Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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When she was suddenly given the opportunity of a new life in rural Jutland, journalist and archetypal Londoner Helen Russell discovered a startling statistic: the happiest place on earth isn't Disneyland but Denmark, a land often thought of by foreigners as consisting entirely of long, dark winters, cured herring, Lego and pastries. What is the secret to their success? Are happy Danes born or made?
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Interesting content. Unfortunate delivery.
- By Jennifer Soudagar on 11-13-15
By: Helen Russell
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Maeve's Times
- In Her Own Words
- By: Maeve Binchy
- Narrated by: Kate Binchy
- Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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From the royal wedding to boring airplane companions, Samuel Beckett to Margaret Thatcher, "senior moments" to life as a waitress, Maeve's Times gives us wonderful insight into a changing Ireland as it celebrates the work of one of our best-loved writers in all its diversity - revealing her characteristic directness, laugh-out-loud humor, and unswerving gaze into the true heart of a matter.
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A GLIMPSE THROUGH MAEVE'S LOOKING GLASS
- By jstrfic on 08-08-17
By: Maeve Binchy
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Mummy Told Me Not to Tell
- The True Story of a Troubled Boy with a Dark Secret
- By: Cathy Glass
- Narrated by: Denica Fairman
- Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
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When Reece arrives at Cathy's door aged 7 years old, he has already passed through the hands of four different carers in four weeks. As the details of his short life emerge, it becomes clear that to help him, Cathy will face her biggest challenge yet. The latest title from the author of Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller Damaged. Reece is the last of six siblings to be fostered. Having been in care for four months his aggressive and disruptive behaviour has seen him passed from carer to carer.
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Fab book
- By Munchie on 03-15-15
By: Cathy Glass
What listeners say about Normal Schmormal
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Hotspur
- 07-23-23
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.
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- Anais
- 08-07-23
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.
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