Jen Walshaw | Mum In The Madhouse

2026 Colouring Calendar!

Subscribe and receive our 2026 Kids Colouring Calendar for Free
Get the 13 Page Calendar by subscribing below.

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.

A Month of Screen-Free Prompts for Tweens: Fun Activities & Ideas

It has been nearly a month since we were  challenged by The Institute of Inertia in partnership with Comparethemarket.com as part of my work with them, to reduce our screen time as a family.  So it is time to check in and be honest about how we have done and also set some resolutions going forward. 

A Month of Screen-Free Prompts for Tweens: Fun Activities & Ideas Read More »

Believe in yourself colouring pages

Believe in Yourself: Free Adult Coloring Pages for Inspiration

The whole adult colouring pages phenomena is showing no sign of slowing and for me, it isn’t surprising.  I am a big fan of colouring.  it is a great way of switching off and doing something creative that I can do anywhere.  Today I have a fantastic selection of three believe in yourself adult colouring

Believe in Yourself: Free Adult Coloring Pages for Inspiration Read More »

The Big School Decision: How to Choose the Right School for Your Child

Last September like lots of parents we made the rounds of the local senior schools with Maxi.  We were and still are in the position of living in a town/village with no Senior school, although it has a three form entry primary school.  Yes, you read that right, there are seventy odd kids in Maxi’s

The Big School Decision: How to Choose the Right School for Your Child Read More »