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.

Free Printable Coffin Halloween Box: 6 Spooky Designs & 3 Customizable Templates

1 Comment / Autumn/Fall, halloween, Halloween Printables / By

Halloween is just around the corner, and what better way to add a touch of spooky charm to your celebrations than with coffin-shaped treat boxes? These free printable coffin Halloween boxes are perfect for party favors, candy storage, or even as a fun craft activity for kids and adults alike. With six pre-colored designs and […]

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Free Printable Halloween Paper Dolls – Creative DIY Kids Craft

Autumn/Fall, halloween, Halloween Printables / By

As Halloween approaches, the excitement builds, and kids everywhere are buzzing with anticipation. The spooky season brings with it a world of fun—from carving pumpkins to trick-or-treating, and of course, the chance to don imaginative costumes. But what if your little ones could extend that Halloween magic into their playtime with something creative and engaging?

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How to make a Pinecone Owl and other pinecone crafts

13 Comments / Autumn/Fall, childrens craft, crafts / By

Maggie at Red Ted Art (who has a new craft book out) hosts a regular Google + Hangout and this weeks was all about Pinecone crafts.  Mini has been studying nocturnal animals this week, so we decided to make a pinecone owl. This is one of those crafts that you can adjust depending on the age of your child Cut out all the

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How a Crossword Puzzle Can Help You in Your Kid’s Studies

activities for children, education / By

Engaging and stimulating puzzles and games are the most effective learning methods. Integrating games like crossword puzzles into your kid’s day at an early stage has lifelong benefits. Not only does it help with studies, but your kids will be more confident, able to express themselves better, and improve their cognitive abilities. It is one

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Over two weeks of Lunchbox Ideas – Not a Sandwich in Sight!

11 Comments / Back to School, Packed Lunches, Party Food, recipes, Snacks / By

Struggling to come up with healthy and easy lunch non-sandwich options for your child’s school lunch? Look no further! These delicious and nutritious recipes will make packing a lunchbox a breeze. Over the last two years, Mini has moved on to have packed lunches for school and as he isn’t a sandwich person so I have

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Vampire Bite Cupcakes

Vampire Cupcakes: Fun Baking with Kids & Spooky Vampire Bite Designs

20 Comments / Autumn/Fall, baking, cooking with children, halloween, receipe, Recipes, recipes / By

We love baking and these vampire bite cupcakes are perfect for Halloween and super simple to decorate (I feel a little embarrassed even doing a tutorial for them), but they are perfect for baking with kids and you can let them take over. We used our fail-safe chocolate sponge recipe as the cake base, but

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How to Choose the Right Electric Bike for Your Lifestyle

parenting / By

Electric bikes (e-bikes) have surged in popularity, offering a versatile, eco-friendly mode of transportation that appeals to a broad range of riders. Whether you’re commuting to work, exploring nature trails, or simply enjoying a leisurely ride around town, there’s an e-bike out there to suit your needs. However, with the variety of models available, choosing

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