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.

Slow Cooker versus Pressure Cooker – Which is More Energy Efficient?

With energy bills higher than ever, families are looking for smarter ways to cook at home. Both slow cookers and pressure cookers (like the Instant Pot) promise tasty meals with less energy use than ovens, but which is really more efficient? Here’s a simple guide comparing cooking times, energy efficiency, flavour, and convenience to help […]

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How to Save Money on Heating Costs This Winter: Practical Tips for a Cozy Home

You should never have to choose whether to heat your home or eat and I hope this post will help you save money on your heating costs. The newspapers have reported recently that 80% of families are planning on rationing their heating this year, with the majority limiting their household heating to one hour in

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How to Save Energy When Cooking: Smart Tips for Efficient and Eco-Friendly Meal Prep

With the cost of gas and electricity prices sky rocketing it is more important than ever to learn how to save energy when cooking. Did you know that cooking typically accounts for 13.8% of electricity demand in UK homes, with freezing or cooling food requiring a further 16.8% of the electricity used on average according

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