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.

The ultimate Free Christmas Colouring Pages for Adults Roundup

Free Christmas Colouring Pages for Adults – The Ultimate Roundup

There are some amazing colouring pages and books for adults and older children at the moment and as it is the festive season, I am all about Christmas. I have already shared with you five exclusive festive colouring pages. But there are so many more out there, so I have gathered together a roundup of free

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Felt Robin Christmas Ornament

Felt Robin Christmas Ornament – Fun Craft for Kids

I love creating and making with kids and this year we are taking part again in Mam Miss’ Kid-Made Ornament series inspired by books.  Last year we made a forest of Christmas Trees inspired by The Fir Tree.  This year we have made felt robin christmas ornaments inspired by Little Robin’s Christmas by Jan Fearnley.

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Kid Made Fingerprint Wreath Christmas Card

Kid-Made Fingerprint Wreath Christmas Card – Easy Holiday Craft

There is nothing better than receiving a homemade christmas card, even more so in today’s technological times.   My boys run to the door at Christmas time to collect the cards and they get so much joy in opening them.  So we love making our own cards and we hope that this years kid made

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Creamy Leek and Mustard Chicken

Cooking with Kids – Pan-Fried Chicken Breast with Sweet Potato Mash & Peppercorn Sauce

One of the most monotonous and challenging parts of motherhood for me is feeding.  Not the feeding per say, but thinking about meals, shopping for them, preparing them and all the rigmarole that comes with being a parent.  It is the everyday NEED that can get me down, it is a thankless task, bit one

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Melting Snowmen cookies

Melting Snowmen cookies – cooking with Melting Snowmen Cookies Recipe – Fun Cooking with Kids

Are you in the festive mood yet?  We certainly are and these delicious melting snowmen cookies are going to become a festive family favorite here in The Mad House.  They were super fun to make and are great for cooking with kids.

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