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.

Keeping Your Home Running Smoothly: Essential Plumbing Maintenance Tips

Home Improvements / By

Maintaining your home’s plumbing system is crucial for ensuring that everything runs smoothly. Whether it’s preventing leaks, avoiding blockages, or keeping your water flowing efficiently, a little regular maintenance can save you from costly repairs in the future. Here are some essential plumbing maintenance tips to help you keep your home’s plumbing in top shape.

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Tips for Back To School Shoe Shopping with Teen Boys

14 Comments / Back to School, parenting / By

Take the pain out of finding the perfect back-to-school shoes for teen boys a paid collaborative post with Very. Discover our top tips for purchasing stylish and durable footwear for senior school boys that will last the entire school year. From durability to fit, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to

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Chia Seed Ocean Sensory Bin Activity: A Themed Sensory Play Idea

Age 2-5, Sensory, toddlers / By

Engage your child’s senses with this fun ocean-themed sensory bin activity using chia seeds to create a unique sea environment. This hands-on play idea is sure to provide hours of entertainment for your little one. Discover the benefits of sensory play and get step-by-step instructions on creating this engaging and educational activity with our taste-safe

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The best rides for 7 and 8 year olds at Thorpe Park

1 Comment / days out, travelling with kids, UK Holidays / By

The Flying Fish was one ride that the boys rode again and again together. Both at the front and the back. In fact sometimes they didn’t even get off!

The boys were also able to go on X, Zodiac, Banana Ride, Rocky Express, Storm in a teacup, The Detonator and Wet, wet, wet. We had an amazing couple of days at Thorpe Park and stayed in the Crash Pad, which is kind of like being in a caravan, compact, but has everything you need.

Top tips for getting the best value:

Book your tickets at least two days in advance at home
Print them off
Second day from £6.00
Consider staying onsite if you live any distance away.
My friend Cass at Frugal Family has a super competition at the moment to win tickets to Thorpe Park, so get yourself over there and enter.

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30+ Post-it Note art, crafts and activities

25 Comments / childrens craft, crafts, paper flowers, something for the weekend / By

I don’t know about you, but I never realised there was so much you could do with post-it notes.  I was challenged by them to create three crafts or activities using their new  Full Adhesive Notes, otherwise known as FAN. These notes mean you can adhere the whole note to the surface of your notebook or

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How To Make A Dinosaur Sensory Bin: Easy, Fun, And Simple

Age 2-5, childrens craft, Sensory / By

Create a fun, inexpensive, and safe sensory experience for your child with this DIY dinosaur-themed sensory bin. This tutorial provides step-by-step instructions and tips for a taste-safe option. This dinosaur small world is a wonderful tactile sensory experience and we make it even more sensory with the addition of chia seeds to create a swamplike

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