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.

Subscribe Now

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.

Floating chalk prints. A super simple process art project that gives great results and is fun to do. This kids craft activity is a great way of demonstrating surface tension too. I love it when creativity and science meet.

Make Floating Chalk Prints with Kids – Fun and Easy Art Project

10 Comments / Age 2-5, Age 5-7, art, childrens craft, crafts, Printing, Process Art, Tween / By

I have been working on finding process art activities that my boys can enjoy now they are tweens and these floating chalk prints certainly hit the mark.  I feel strongly that process art is really important for kids of all ages and sometimes more so when they reach 9/10.

Make Floating Chalk Prints with Kids – Fun and Easy Art Project Read More »

Gently spiced butternut soup. This recipe if perfect for cooking with kids and is a delicious and simple soup. Help your children to develop valuable life skills and expand their plate with this spiced butternut soup.

Spiced Butternut Soup Recipe – Fun and Easy Cooking with Kids

12 Comments / cooking, cooking with children, frugal food, receipe, Soup / By

One of my passions is teaching my boys to be confident in the kitchen and at least one night a week we cook together as a family.  I love homemade soup and it is so much nicer than any soup you can buy.  This spiced butternut soup is simple to make and has few ingredients but

Spiced Butternut Soup Recipe – Fun and Easy Cooking with Kids Read More »