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.

Winter Snowflake Jar Luminary

Winter Snowflake Jar DIY Winter Snowflake Jar Luminary – Easy Craft Tutorial

If you have been following our blog for any length of time then you will know that we LOVE recycling glass jars and turning them into tealight holders.  I love being able to bring them out each season and use them to decorate our home and the boys love giving them as gifts.  Now that

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Plastic bowl Snow Globe Art for Kids

Plastic Bowl Snow Globe Art for Kids – Fun & Creative Winter Craft

What child doesn’t love a snow globe?  My boys are obsessed with them and no matter where we go they shake them, which leaves me fearful of the dropping them as glass, water and my boys is not a great mixture.  Anyway a plastic bowl snow globe is super fun to make and there is no glass involved. As you

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Gingerbread Christmas trees

Gingerbread Christmas Tree Cookies – Simple Recipe for Cooking with Kids

Cooking with children need not be difficult.  Sometimes you need a simple recipe that you can return to again and again and this super gingerbread recipe from Flora is perfect for kids, especially as there is no melting of butter or heat involved and it makes perfect Gingerbread Christmas Tree Cookies.

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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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