Mum in the Mad House

Merry Christmas Reindeer Food Merry Christmas I just wanted to drop a quick email to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and to thank you for all the support you've provided in 2025. It has been a real challenge of a year for me, with over 16 weeks spent in the hospital and ongoing health issues. I have just made a batch of reindeer food as even though my boys are teenagers, this (along with new PJs - got to look clean on those Christmas Day photos) is one of our Christmas Eve...

December Newsletter Simply Christmas without Losing the Magic Remember, it's Presence, not Presents, that matter. December is one of my favourite months. I am a December Baby (20th to be precise) and for me, December has always been a month of anticipation and excitement. However, this year will be a little different for me as I need to rest and recuperate ,so I am going to have to follow my rules and delegate: My top three tips are: Delegate - DO NOT take responsibility for everything. The...

Advent Kindness Advent Printable The build-up to Christmas is always busy for parents, but for me, I have always tried to focus on Advent as a time for a small amount of joy each day. It is a time for anticipation. Family traditions can be fluid and change over the years. Ours have (my boys are 19 and 20 now), but some things stay the same. We still have New pyjamas on Christmas Eve, and they sprinkle some safe reindeer food! I don’t craft so much with the boys now, but my friend and I...

Cosy Days and Heartfelt Ways Could Do November Finding Light in the Darkness November is a month for slowing down, showing kindness, and getting cosy as the nights draw in. It’s the perfect time to reflect, reconnect, and start preparing for the festive season ahead. Whether you’re crafting heartfelt homemade gifts, stirring up the Christmas pudding on Stir-up Sunday, or filling a kindness jar with thoughtful acts, this month is all about warmth and gratitude. I have been trying to send you...

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...