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.

Cooking with Kids – The Generational Journey | Family Traditions and Recipes

4 Comments / activities for children, Cooking / By

I have really fond memories of sitting on the chest freezer in the kitchen and watching my mum cook when I was growing up. She was amazing in the kitchen, a real wizard.  She stretched the family food budget, so we all ate really well.  She taught me all I know and more than she […]

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How to Make Rainbow Milk Marbled Paper Art

How to Make Rainbow Milk Marbled Paper Art | Vibrant DIY Craf

7 Comments / activities for children, Age 5-7, art, childrens craft, crafts, Printing, Process Art, Screen Free, Tween, Watercolours / By

Rainbow milk marbled paper art is such a cool kids craft activity and it is great as it really is science meets art. It is a classic kid’s science activity rainbow milk fireworks with the added process art activity of marbling paper.

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Handwriting Tips for Older Children

Handwriting Tips for Older Children | Improve Writing Skills

11 Comments / Back to School, parenting / By

Do you have an older child that still struggles with handwriting? I do.  Mini has been taught cursive writing since he was three years old at pre-school and school and he has always found it a challenge. So I am delighted to be working with STABILO in highlighting their pen licence and these handwriting tips.

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DIY Craft Foam Stamps

DIY Craft Foam Stamps | Easy and Creative Stamp-Making Guide

11 Comments / activities for children, Age 5-7, art, childrens craft, crafts, Process Art, Screen Free, Teen, Tween, Upcycling, Valentines Crafts / By

These DIY craft foam stamps are super simple to make and a great way to get older kids crafting. I am a big fan of upcycling ad recycling household items and making stamps is a great way of using any corks that you may have.  Or if you are not drinkers then you can buy corks

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Twice Baked Potato Bites - Cooking with Kids

Twice Baked Potato Bites | Fun and Easy Cooking with Kids

10 Comments / activities for children, Cooking, cooking with children, Mains, receipe, Snacks / By

I don’t know about your family, but my family love miniature versions of anything and these bite-size twice baked potato bites make for an easy and yummy snack or side.  They are super simple to prepare in advance and then warm up later.  I always have to make extra as they want them again the day after.

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