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.

7 Ways To Care for Your Body on National Renewal Day

National Renewal Day is a special reminder on the calendar to hit the reset button and focus on self-care. It’s a day to indulge in practices that revive and replenish your body, setting the tone for better well-being.  One crucial aspect often overlooked is maintaining the delicate balance within the body. This balance can be […]

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FIFA World Cup Football/Soccer Crafts for Kids and Families

The FIFA World Cup is one of the most exciting global sporting events, bringing together football fans of all ages. Whether you’re supporting France, Argentina, Mexico, Canada, or one of the host nations, the tournament is about more than just matches—it’s about celebrating teamwork, creativity, and culture. Crafts are a brilliant way to mark the

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Choosing Soft Flooring That Keeps Noise Down in Family Homes

6am. A toy hits the floor somewhere upstairs. The sound travels through the ceiling and lands in the kitchen where you are standing with a coffee. Hard floors do that. Carpet does not. A family home with hard flooring throughout is a louder home. Every dropped object, every hurried step, every chair dragged across a

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How to Avoid Bringing Bed Bugs Home From Your Family Holiday: Essential Prevention Tips for Summer Travel

Suitcases dumped in the hallway. Kids exhausted after a long drive – everyone’s just desperate to get into pyjamas. The last thing you want to think about is unpacking properly, let alone checking for tiny insects. But of all the things families pick up on holiday – sand in everything, a thousand photos, a souvenir

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When Is It Time to Take Action Over a Teenager Who Parties Too Much?

In the adolescent phase of a teenager’s life, socialising, making memories, and experiencing their first taste of freedom are often necessary. Parties are a common feature of this stage of life – and they can be a great opportunity for teens to socialise, let off steam, and learn more about themselves. However, they also present

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Mascot Colouring Pages Free Printable – Clutch, Zayu and Maple

The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is on, and this year things are extra exciting because for the first time ever the tournament is being co-hosted by three countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States.  To celebrate, I’ve created a free printable set of FIFA World Cup 2026 mascot colouring pages, featuring: These

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Are High School Internships Abroad Worth It? A Parent’s Perspective

High school internships abroad are increasingly offered as structured opportunities for students to experience professional settings at an early stage in life. These programs place teenagers in real workplace environments where they can observe daily operations, take part in supervised tasks, and interact with professionals from different fields. For parents, the idea often raises important

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Five things to check before serving food to your child’s friends at a birthday party

There’s a lot to think about when serving food to your children’s friends at a birthday party – and we’re not just talking about the judgement of other mums! A small amount of good preparation can go a long way towards keeping the kids happy, keeping your own stress levels low, and – crucially –

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