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.

Alternative Christmas gifts - A year of family experiences

Alternative Christmas Gifts – A Year of Memorable Family Experiences

I have mentioned before that I am a great believer that experiences bring more happiness than things and this year we are going to be giving our boys a year of experiences. This will be a great alternative christmas gift for us all as a family and I have been thinking of a special way

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Advent Acts of Kindness – Free Stocking Printables for a Meaningful December

As you have probably guessed we LOVE advent and Christmas here in The Mad House.  Last year we provided you with two sets of advent acts of kindness free printables.  One Christmas tree shaped and the other in a tag style.  This year we have a real treat for you with our advent acts of

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Acts of Kindness for Advent

Acts of Kindness for Advent – Create a Heartwarming Alternative Advent Calendar

Advent is the perfect for focusing on the joy of the season, but it can also seem really commerical.  last year we started our Advent acts of kindness, an alternative advent for kids to try and refocus this time away from receiving to giving.  We do our acts of kindness in addition to our other

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