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.

Homemade Pizza Recipe - Cooking with Kids

Homemade Pizza Recipe | Fun Cooking with Kids

Do you have pizza nights?  We do and have done since the boys were little .  This homemade pizza recipe certainly is tried and tested as it has been our failsafe recipe which has been used since before the boys were born so for around 15 years!  I have learned that kids love pizza and

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Family Friday Night Takeaway – My Top Tips For Ordering

Family Friday Night Takeaway – My Top Tips For Ordering

If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that I’m passionate about cooking and that I’m passionate about getting kids to cook, so you may be wondering what I’m doing ordering a takeaway on a Friday.  When you say takeaway people immediately think ‘oh that’s really unhealthy’ or ‘that’s really fattening’ or ‘I bet that’s all

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Creamy Leek and Mustard Chicken

Creamy Leek and Mustard Chicken | Fun Cooking with Kids

One of the most monotonous bits of parenting is feeding.  I swear I spend hours thinking about what to prepare, shop for and cook that we will all eat as a family.  You see, I want to prepare something healthy, scrummy and delicious and to see empty plates at the end of the meal.  Our

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Veggie Taco Bowls | Fun and Healthy Cooking with Kids

I am passionate about the fact that I want my boys to grow up with great skills in the kitchen and instill in them a love of cooking and also provide them with some fabulous staple meals.  These Veggie Taco Bowls are so simple to make and are really filling and nutritious. We are working with

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free adult colouring pages for halloween

Free Halloween Coloring Pages for Adults: Get Creative with Seasonal Spooky Designs

Looking for a fun and relaxing way to get into the Halloween spirit? Our collection of free Halloween coloring pages for adults (or older children and teens) is the perfect way to unwind while celebrating all things spooky. Whether you’re a fan of intricate designs like Day of the Dead skulls or prefer classic Halloween

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How to make Pom pom pumpkin garland

Pom Pom Pumpkin Garland | Fun and Festive DIY Halloween Decor

We love making pom poms.  I find it so relaxing and perfect for making with the boys when we are sitting and chatting.  This simple pom pom pumpkin garland makes a fun seasonal decoration and you could add little felt faces if you wanted to transform it into a Halloween garland.

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