Mum in the Mad House

Remembrance Day Activities 45 Poppy Crafts I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask: "Mother, what was war?" Eve Merriam Remembrance Day - A time of reflection, remembrance and the hope for peace. My boys are 19 and 20 and older now than some of the children who have died in wars: those who served and the innocents who have been killed. It has always been important to me to discuss these things with my boys, and we have visited Normandy with them and the Commonwealth graves. They...

Half-term is here so why not have a half-term full of Halloween fun with these spooky activities for kids! From DIY crafts to tasty treats, there’s something to keep every little ghoul and goblin entertained. Here are some fantastic ideas to make your Halloween holiday extra special. If you like my content or have downloaded a free printable, please buy me a tea or donate to allow me to continue offering accessible human-made content. 1. Create DIY Halloween Costumes Put together creative...

Diwali and Fireworks 20 Firework Crafts Let there be light! This is a special newsletter all about bringing light for Diwali (which i20th October this year) and Guy Fawkes on the 5th! The fireworks in your soul light up the world. Fireworks are a reminder that even the darkest nights can be filled with beautyThis time of year is filled with festivals and celebrations, and they bring with them some favourite crafts and learning activities. I am all for bringing more light to these dark days...

October Newsletter Could Do October Long Time No Speak I know that I don't owe anyone an explanation on why I dropped off the face of the earth for the last six months. However, you guys are my community, so here goes! I had to have an emergency operation in April, which left me dealing with some pretty horrific side effects, even though my surgical team said it was a success. I then underwent another four operations to try to resolve those issues. To cut a long story short, nothing helped,...

May Newsletter Could Do May 🌼 Could Do May – Gentle Family Fun for a Slower Month Hi lovely friends, This newsletter is arriving a little later than planned because, if I’m honest, I’ve just had the hardest three weeks of my life. After a couple of emergency operations and a long hospital stay, I’m home — sore, healing, and deeply grateful. Parenting while in hospital, even with older children, is emotionally overwhelming. You want to protect them from worry, but also be truthful. There’s a...

April Newsletter Could Do April April Awaits – Crafts, Celebrations & Springtime Magic 🌸 Spring is in full swing here at the Madhouse and we’re soaking up all the small joys — longer days, blossoms blooming, and crafting chaos (in the best way!). This month is bursting with ideas, gentle celebrations, and could-do inspiration to keep the whole family feeling joyful and connected — with plenty of free printables and low-prep fun. 🐣 Don’t Miss 💌 Freebie Friday: Keep an eye on Instagram – we’ll...

March Newsletter March "Could Do" List March Magic – Fresh Starts, Family Fun & Seasonal Celebrations! Spring is just around the corner! March is a time of fresh starts, longer days, and new blooms. It’s the perfect month to enjoy small seasonal joys, celebrate special occasions, and get creative with fun family activities March is a special month for us here in the Madhouse. Our eldest turns 20 and we are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. Want to see my very "of the time" wedding...

February Newsletter Could Do February Love & Kindness Whoop - we have got through the darkest quarter of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and daffodils are back in the shops. Those bright yellow flowers are what I treat myself to when I do the food shop. They bring so much bang for their buck and it got me thinking about how noticing the little things makes life more joyous. February is a short month, the littlest of the year, but it brings many things to celebrate and notice, including...

Welcome 2025 January Activities January 2025 Do you jump into the new year with resolutions and positivity or quietly creep in with gentle steps? I am a throwback to the academic year and a gentle January person (hense this Newsletter not being sent on the 1st)! We joke that I am all about hibernating! I go gently into the darkest month of the year thanks to my seasonal adjustive disorder plus as the wife of an accountant in the throws of tax season. I have developed tools to help me through...