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

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!

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

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

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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15 Fantastic Fall DIY Lanterns and Lights

Fantastic Fall DIY Lanterns and Lights

As the leaves change and the days get shorter, it’s the perfect time to add some cozy ambiance to your home with fall lanterns. Discover creative ideas and inspiration for incorporating these autumnal decorations into your space. With the darker nights there is something magical about the glow you get from candles, not only do

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Homemade Burgers – Cooking with Kids

BThere’s something really special about making homemade burgers together as a family. Kids love getting hands-on in the kitchen, and this easy recipe is perfect for teaching them basic cooking skills — from mixing ingredients to shaping their own burger patties. Making burgers from scratch means you can control what goes in them — no

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