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.

Top Tips for Skiing with Kids – Making Family Ski Trips Fun and Stress-Free

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Skiing with kids can be an incredible family experience, creating memories and instilling a love of the outdoors. But it can also be challenging, especially if it’s your first time hitting the slopes as a family. From managing gear to keeping little ones comfortable and entertained, planning family ski holidays requires a bit of extra

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DIY Christmas Candles: How to Decorate with Napkins

Christmas, Christmas Crafts, christmas decorations, Christmas presents, crafts, Homemade gifts / By

Add a personal and festive touch to your holiday decor with these beautiful DIY Christmas candles! Using decorative napkins and an unexpected tool—curling tongs—you can create stunning, customized candles that make perfect gifts or charming additions to your home. We have made similar candles in previous years using tissue paper, but I prefer this version

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Create Your Own Winter Wonderland with a Printable Snow Globe Craft!

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Are you looking for a fun, festive craft to keep your kids entertained during the winter season? Our Printable Snow Globe Cut, Color, and Stick Craft is perfect for kids who love to get creative! This activity allows them to build their very own snow globe by cutting, coloring, and sticking adorable winter-themed images into

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Create Your Own 3D Christmas Color-In Dioramas – Snow Globe Style Printables for Festive Fun

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Bring the holiday season to life with these delightful 3D Christmas color-in printable dioramas! Designed with a snow globe theme, each diorama includes a background to color, cut, and assemble, along with a matching focal element to place in front. This engaging craft activity is perfect for kids and adults alike, making it ideal for

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Perfect Party Cocktails and Mocktails for Thanksgiving – Tips and Recipes for Batching Success

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Hosting Thanksgiving or holiday parties can be a joy, especially when your drink prep is easy and stress-free. This guide shares the best tips for making cocktails ahead of time and offers batchable cocktail recipes with mocktail versions so everyone can enjoy a festive drink. Whether it’s a cosy gathering or a big family event,

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Get Ready for the New Year with Fun Activity Mats!

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These New Year’s Eve activity mats are the perfect way to keep kids entertained and engaged as they ring in the new year! With exciting puzzles, goal-setting prompts, word searches, and creative coloring activities, these mats are designed for both fun and reflection, making them ideal for classrooms, parties, or family gatherings. They encourage kids

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Treemendously Easy Lollipop Christmas Trees – A Fun, Festive Craft for All Ages!

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These adorable Christmas Tree Lollipops are a fun and affordable holiday craft that’s perfect for kids and adults alike! Made from simple materials like cupcake cases, lollipops, thread, and star stickers, they are a great way to use up any leftover Halloween treats (don’t tell me you are not left with lollies – I had

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7 Sustainable Craft Ideas Made Easy with Print-On-Demand

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Creating sustainable crafts doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With print-on-demand services, you can turn creative ideas into eco-friendly treasures without much fuss. Think about those old T-shirts gathering dust – why not transform them into fun tote bags? Or upcycle kitchen napkins with designs that make dinner more delightful. These crafty adventures aren’t

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Ultimate Christmas Printable Roundup – Fun and Festive Activities for All

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The holiday season is here, and what better way to celebrate than with a collection of fun and festive Christmas printables? Whether you’re looking for easy activities to keep the kids entertained, creative decorations for your home, or educational worksheets for the classroom, we’ve got you covered! At Mum in the Madhouse, we believe that

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