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.

How to Create a Family Entertainment Corner Without Overspending

Meta description: Learn how to create a family space full of warmth, laughter, and simple moments everyone will want to return to. When you think back to how things used to be, when families naturally spent more time together talking, watching movies, playing games, or just sitting in the same room without everyone being on

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Could Do June – Joyful Activities for Families

Activities, Activities for Children, Could Do List, Summer, Family Fun Let me start with a little reminder — this isn’t a to-do list. It’s a could do list. June feels like summer stretching its arms. The evenings are longer, school terms are winding down, gardens are bursting with colour, and there are opportunities everywhere to

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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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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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