Jen Walshaw | Mum In The Madhouse

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Author name: Jen Walshaw

Mum-in-charge Jen Walshaw runs the UK’s top parenting blog Mum in the Madhouse, and she describes herself as a “fat, feisty and over 50” Northerner. Based in North Yorkshire, she’s mum to young adults and a big believer that family life is messy, creative and fun. In 2009 a double mastectomy gave her the nudge to start blogging; with two boys under three she needed an outlet and a digital scrapbook to capture their chaos.Jen’s posts are a mix of crafts, kid‑friendly recipes and honest parenting, peppered with northern humour. She’s happiest when up to her elbows in tea, fabric and pizza dough – sewing and making homemade gifts – before sneaking off to write about it. As a proud Northerner she warns PRs that a “quick pop down to London” isn’t quick at all. Her blog has earned her a stack of accolades, including the Cision #1 Mummy Blogger title in 2024  and consistently topping Vuelio and Tots100 parenting‑blog charts. Whether she’s advocating for diversity and body neutrality or sharing tales of parenting teens, Jen keeps things chatty, real and refreshingly down‑to‑earth.

Metallic Leaf Garland and Decorations

How stunning are this Metallic Leaf Garland and Decorations designed for us by Jane from Snapdragon online. I have been a long time admirer of Jane and love her style and was delighted when she agreed to collaborate with me on a fabulous craft project that is perfect for children and adults alike. 

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Paper Plate Baubles – Giant Christmas Decorations

Paper Plate Baubles is a paid collaboration in conjunction with Bostik. I have a real love of crafting and creating with children and simple crafts are often the best. These paper plate baubles are simple, mess-free and perfect for younger children, plus they look amazing.  Can you imagine a giant tree with these on perhaps

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Lets Get really Radical and just stop mentioning our flaws

Earlier in the year, I posted about how I felt that the body positivity had become hijacked by privileged white cis-gender, straight females wearing size 12 or 14 clothes. It turned out to be a pretty controversial post and I was left feeling silenced and I learned that people do not want to hear about body positivity

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