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.

Create a Festive Gingerbread Village with Printable Crafts for Kids!

Christmas, Christmas Crafts, christmas decorations, Christmas Printables, Gingerbread Activities / By

Bring the joy of a gingerbread village to life this holiday season with our delightful Gingerbread Village Printable! This craft is perfect for families, kids, and classrooms, allowing everyone to color, cut, and create their own mini holiday village complete with gingerbread houses, festive trees, and adorable gingerbread characters. These printables offer hours of creative

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Fun Printable Nativity Activity Sheets – Perfect Seasonal Placemats for Kids!

Christmas, Christmas Printables, crafts, Seasonal / By

The holiday season brings a special opportunity to reflect on the Christmas story and engage kids in meaningful activities. Whether you’re preparing for a family gathering, a holiday meal, or a Sunday School class, these printable Nativity activity sheets are a wonderful addition to your celebration. They also double as seasonal placemats, adding a unique

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Fun Christmas Countdown Bookmarks to Colour – Perfect for Kids!

Christmas, Christmas Crafts, Christmas Printables, Free Printables / By

Get ready to make the holiday season even more exciting for kids with these adorable Christmas Countdown Bookmarks! These bookmarks serve as a fun countdown to Christmas Day and double as a festive coloring activity that kids can enjoy each day. Whether marking off days with bright colors or personalizing each bookmark with its unique

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A Family Holiday at Domain de Mathevies, Dordogne, France

The Ultimate Guide to Black Friday Travel Deals for Family Holidays

budgeting, Holidays abroad, parenting, travelling with kids, UK Holidays / By

As Black Friday approaches, many of us start thinking about grabbing the best deals on tech, clothing, and holiday gifts. But Black Friday is also one of the best times to plan a family holiday! Whether you’re dreaming of a sunny beach escape, a city adventure, or a family-friendly cruise, Black Friday travel deals can

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50 Creative Popsicle Stick Christmas Crafts for Kids: Fun and Festive Ideas

childrens craft, Christmas, Christmas Crafts, christmas decorations, crafts / By

If you’re looking for easy and budget-friendly Christmas crafts for kids, popsicle sticks are a fantastic option! From ornaments to holiday decorations, there are countless ways to transform simple sticks into festive creations. I love that most of these fabulous kids’ crafts can be done with things that you will already have in your craft

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Super Cute Ballerina Craft for Kids with Free Printable Template

childrens craft, craft, Free Printables / By

Looking for a fun, easy, and adorable ballet craft to do with the kids? This super cute ballerina craft is the perfect project for a creative afternoon. Using our free ballerina template, kids can build and design their own ballerina complete with a dress, arms, legs, shoes, and a head. With a few simple supplies,

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Bring Nature into Your Home with These Beautiful Pinecone Christmas Crafts

Christmas, Christmas Crafts, christmas decorations, crafts, Nature crafts, thrifty Christmas / By

Pinecones are one of the best natural materials to use for crafting! I have over 35 ideas for using them throughout the year including hedgehogs and owls. They’re easy to find, versatile, and bring a rustic, cosy charm to any Christmas decor. Whether you’re creating ornaments, centerpieces, or festive place cards, these pinecone crafts are

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How to Make Star-Shaped Birdfeeders with Kids

Autumn Crafts, childrens craft, craft, crafts, Nature crafts, Winter / By

Create a simple and fun DIY bird feeder craft with kids using star-shaped silicone cupcake molds, lard or coconut oil, seeds, and twine! These adorable homemade bird feeders are perfect for hanging outside in the backyard and attracting feathered friends to your garden. The best part? Using lard or coconut oil means this project can

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Snow Globe Coloring Pages: A Magical Winter Craft for Kids!

Christmas, Christmas Printables, Free Printables / By

The holiday season is here, and what better way to celebrate than with some festive coloring fun? Our Snow Globe Coloring Pages are perfect for getting kids into the winter spirit. With magical scenes featuring snowmen, reindeer, Christmas trees, and more, your little ones will love bringing these snow globes to life with their favorite

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