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.

Yarn Wrapped Pumpkin Lanterns

Yarn Wrapped Pumpkin Lanterns | Fun and Easy Kids Craft

These yarn wrapped pumpkin lanterns are wonderfully hands-on and messy process art.  Not all children enjoy getting this hands-on, it is not something that Maxi my eldest enjoys, but Mini loves the whole sensory experience of making these.

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Kids in the Kitchen with Ben's Beginner's

Tips for Getting Your Kids in the Kitchen | Fun and Engaging Cooking Ideas

I am a really big advocate of cooking with children and getting kids in the kitchen from an early age.  Some of my happiest memories are of helping my mum bake and cook, but more than just happy memories, she left me with the legacy of being pretty handy in the kitchen and this is

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25 Teddy Bear Themed Crafts and Activities

25 Teddy Bear Themed Crafts and Activities | Fun and Creative Idea

If you children are anything like mine then they will LOVE teddy bears and to celebrate National Teddy Bear Day we have a fantastic roundup of teddy bear activities, crafts and foods ideas to suit toddlers, preschoolers and school aged kids

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