“The Crazy Mother’s Guide To Raising Exceptional Children Is For All Parents Who Have Days When They Want To Run Away And Join The Circus.”
– Sonia D. Hebdon
This book is stunning! 8.5x11 inches, the size of a textbook. Glossy cover, large print & black & white illustrations. The colour scheme of this cover was chosen to appeal to modern mothers with a 1950s twist. It is hard to find a parenting book designed in large print and sold at such a low price!
Sample page of paperback!
For every mother who understands what it’s like to have a crazy circus parenting day!
The Kindle version is my favourite as it has coloured illustrations that are vibrant and sassy! Due to printing costs, the paperback had to be black and white. But I made up for that in the Kindle version. Sample page below!
“Let’s face it: mums have to be as resourceful and adaptable as Swiss Army knives: multiple tools in one!
We have to wear many hats in the family home: a chef, nurse, therapist, cleaner, grocery shopper, lover to our partner, and an attentive mother to our children. Mothers are often expected to also work full-time or part-time to financially contribute to the family. It is exhausting, and that is where my faith in Jesus Christ comes into play.”
(Sonia D. Hebdon (2024) The Crazy Mother’s Guide To Raising Exceptional Children, Chapter 4 Faith, pg. 47)
Both of Sonia and Adam’s children have ASD and their oldest child, a daughter named Ruby was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder at 16. What this means is that Sonia and her husband had to learn pretty quick how to parent a daughter that has Autism and different colourful personalities waiting to come out.
Sonia and her husband’s second child, a boy named Robert, may well be called Dennis The Menace.
Further complicating Sonia’s situation, she homeschools her children, organises their disability medical services, manages a busy household and still finds time to give love and attention to her “rescue fur babies!”
Sonia used the “I’m running away to join the circus” metaphor on social media as a sign to her friends that she was having a bad day. Quickly her ‘tribe’ would contact her to find out what was going on and if she was okay.
She realised that she wasn’t alone and there were many other parents who were going through similar experiences behind closed doors.
This motivation to reach out is why she created this funny and inspiring true story.
Warning: This book is not for the faint-hearted, as a sense of humour is required.
The author is a Christian mother, wife, and educated woman who believes all people with disabilities must be treated fairly and kindly.
Book Review 3:
“I love the fact that Sonia’s Dad is her inspiration to handle Circus Days. He sounds amazing to have as a father, not letting his disability happening at such a young age stop him from living his life.
What I love about this book is the creative ways to handle parenting situations with ASD kids. Can’t wait to share your children’s series of readers for Special Needs kids with my own children. Thank-you for also thinking of them and designing books just for these kids who are Superheroes”
(E. Martin, Qld Australia)
Book Review 2: “Wow! Sonia definitely knows what she is talking about. It is so refreshing to have a parenting guide that is raw, down to Earth and discusses Faith as her corner stone of surviving these heart breaking events. Thank-you for giving mums of ASD children a clear voice.” A. Murphy, mum of 2 ASD boys, NSW, Australia.
Click on the image above!
This book is Sonia’s dream project: a love letter to her husband and especially to their two children. She kept a journal of funny stories and practical solutions and poured her heart out, releasing her pain and sorrow through the power of written words on those Circus Days. Every story in this memoir is 100% true, hence the title!
Sonia and her husband are blessed to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. She has often said that she would be in a padded cell weaving baskets if it weren't for her faith. This outside-the-box parenting memoir for the strange and unusual is a game changer. It is the most unique, humorous, practical expression of Faith revealed in a book for parents of children with special needs.
Book Review 1: “This book is truly inspirational, heartbreaking, funny, practical and makes a parent of a special needs child not feel alone. This is one of the best parenting books I have ever read on this topic. I have an ASD child myself and I found it extremely helpful. I also found the information on DID absolutely fascinating. Special needs children are truly Superheroes.” K. Thomas mum of 6 yr old ASD girl Qld Australia.
Click on the image above!
Sonia’s Real Life Super-Hero
Ian, Her Father Who Taught Her To Make ‘Lemonade Out Of Lemons.’
Click on the image above!
The Crazy Mother's Guide To Raising Exceptional Children.
The Crazy Mother's Guide To Raising Exceptional Children.
“I have often heard the African Proverb, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ and I wholeheartedly believe that parents of special-needs children can unite and create a fantastic world and future for their children.”
– Sonia D. Hebdon
Sonia at the age of 4, during her Wonder Woman days where little girls needed to be defended from having their dolls stolen at pre-school.
Due to my work just being released overseas, unfortunately, I only have my five ***** ratings in Australia. However, you can change this!
Sonia D.
Ruby Traumatising Poor Gus At TheAge Of Nine.
Click on the image above!
Click on the image above!
Book Exerpt From The Crazy Mother’s Guide To Raising Exceptional Children.
“Our daughter is a real-life Wednesday Addams. She may have had long, strawberry-blonde hair when this incident happened, but when she got older, she dyed her hair in many colours, including jet black.
At 19, she still wears her Goth clothes, but when she was nine, a boy at church tried to impress her with his Pekingese puppy dog.
Ruby was minding her own business when this blonde-headed boy approached her and, with a cheeky smile, said, “You know, I can get my dog to attack you.” Mildly annoyed, she looked at him and calmly replied, “Did you know that if you hold and squeeze a Pekingese a certain way, you can get their eyeballs to pop out? Here, let me show you, ” she said as she motioned to take the dog into her arms.
The poor boy went pale and quickly left her presence, clinging to his dog tightly. I watched the interaction closely: she didn’t smile and walked away in the opposite direction.
Pekingese dogs’ eyeballs can readily pop out because their protruding eyeballs are set into tiny eye sockets. “Ruby, what was all that about?” I inquired. She gave me a cheeky smile and responded, “Don’t worry, Mum, I just wanted to scare him.”
You see, she heard a conversation I had with her father a few weeks earlier about a family friend who used to breed these dogs professionally. I mentioned to my husband that the eyes are a significant problem with this breed. My little genius locked that information away in her memory and decided to use it to shock that poor boy.”
(Sonia D.Hebdon, (2024) The Crazy Mother’s Guide To Parenting Exceptional Children, Chap 6: Filter Filter Filter pg. 73)
Book Review 5:
“As a mum to three special needs children, I take my hat off to Sonia for being brutually honest. What a lot of people don’t understand is that the sleepless nights and the lack of main stream understanding puts a strain on special needs families. Thank-you for your point of view.”
C. Williams, Qld
“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond our power or our will.”
– Epictetus
About The Author
UPDATE:
SONIA’S BOOKS ARE NOW AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE ON AMAZON, WALMART & BARNES & NOBLE, TO NAME ONLY A FEW BOOK STOCKISTS!
Sonia D. Hebdon
Sonia’s Husband, Adam, when he was young, footloose and fancy-free!
Rachel & Lola, Sonia’s Beloved Rescue Pets.
They are her faithful writing companions.
Sonia grew up in a north Queensland coastal town and relocated to Sydney in the early 90s to attend University. She has a degree in Liberal Studies, majoring in Literary Theory and Communications from the University of Western Sydney. She met her partner in crime whilst studying at UWS and created a unique family together. She has worked in Radio Broadcasting, Public Relations, and Education before focusing on family. Sonia is passionate about her Faith and acceptance of people with disabilities. She believes there is a lot of work to do in local churches to educate local parishioners and ministers on how important it is to be loving and supportive of church members and their children who have a disability.
Heavily influenced by her father’s disability, she has always danced to a different tune, embracing people who are unique as ‘Superheroes’. Sonia has previously written two children’s picture books, Ruby Ray and Vlad McCoy, which focus on children with disabilities realising their ‘Superhero’ alter ego. It is ideal for parents to read to their children who have been diagnosed with special needs in early primary school. Her children are also the inspiration for these books, one aimed at boys and the other at young girls.
Sonia’s husband is the artist behind Beautiful Desert, a Christian music ministry featuring Christian lyrics set to authentic ‘80s post-punk music, aimed at today's youth. His love for Jesus is plainly evident in his songs. The author and her husband live in an Australian country town with their amazing oddball kids and a menagerie of rescue pets, in a home filled with love, laughter and song.
Sonia Has Created A Series Of Readers For Children On The Spectrum. These Creative And Charming Books Will Captivate Your Child’s Imagination And Most Importantly, Reinforce That They Indeed Are ‘Superheroes.’
Children
I Am Perfect The Way I Am series
Children’s Early Readers Encouraging Positivity Regarding Disabilities:
Vlad McCoy, The Vampire Boy
I Am A Superhero
Ruby Ray Is Only A Dream Away!
Reviews for kids books here.
Ruby Ray Is Only A Dream Away Review
“I love this. Such a beautiful message and the artwork is amazing. You've done a great job!” Lisa Buddee, Qld
Mother of 7 year old ASD boy.
Social Media Contacts For
Sonia D. Hebdon
Sonia wants to create a support network and has set up a Facebook page to encourage other parents who want to ‘run away and join the circus’ to reach out and make positive relationships today!
Website:
thecrazymothersguidetoparentingexceptionalchildren.org
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569399597133
The Crazy Mother’s Guide To Parenting Exceptional Children Private Support Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1803505657124738/
Email:
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT LOOKBOOK BEFORE YOU GO!
Sonia has trained in Journalism, Public Relations and Creative Writing, and has worked in the media industry. Sonia is experienced in radio broadcasting. She has also trained in Secondary Education and is experienced in the area of public speaking. She would be happy to be interviewed about her ‘Passion Project.’
"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”
Epictetus
BEAUTIFUL DESERT
BEAUTIFUL DESERT
BEAUTIFUL DESERT
BEAUTIFUL DESERT BEAUTIFUL DESERT BEAUTIFUL DESERT
Beautiful Desert is an Australian Christian music ministry that incorporates an early ‘80s alternative, new wave sound with Biblically inspired lyrics. Sonia’s husband is the artist behind this project who has created these amazing songs for the youth of today to discover the positive Christian message of grace. A former Goth and muso from the ‘80s, he has embraced his musical roots to transform the way we hear modern Christian music. Please click on the images to experience outside-of-the box Christian music.
LOTTIE GRACE ART
LOTTIE GRACE ART
Lottie-Grace is a pet portrait artist who specialises in creating fantasy creations with your pet front and centre. Lottie was diagnosed as an art prodigy at 8. Ever since she was a little girl, she has always been drawing. Having her own business with clients from overseas ordering her work is a dream come true. Please help Lottie fulfil her dream and order your own specialised creation today!
Prices: A2 Coloured USD 55.00
A3 Coloured USD 80.00