AIBU to not have or ever want children

[cheerybear]

but to come on Mumsnet purely for entertainment reasons, mostly because a few friends have said it's their guilty pleasure with the rows etc, I checked it out and have become an addict (it's a bit like reading the problem pages of magazines when you're a kid). I must say I have stalked for ages and pop on when it's quiet at work or during my lunch for a read.

Obviously I don't like anybody who is unhappy or having serious problems, but some of the arguments on here are very funny. I only joined last night to get involved in one.

[WorraLiberty]

You joined MN just to get involved in an argument?

YANBU about the children thing. Lots of MNetters don't have kids.

[hollycomputer]

I'm in exactly the same position. Started lurking a few weeks ago but enjoyed reading so much that I joined.

I don't have children and have never really wanted them. DH feels the same so we decided not to. It's not that I don't like kids, just don't want any of my own!

[Hakluyt]

Absolutely not. But you are unreasonable to hang around on a parenting site!

[StealthPolarBear]

No of course yanbu and yanbu to be on mn

[WorraLiberty]

Absolutely not. But you are unreasonable to hang around on a parenting site!

Why?

Have you seen the 100s of topics on MN that have nothing to do with having a family?

Even if childless people post in the topics that are about having families, they're still entitled to an opinion.

[cheerybear]

There are some very interesting topics on here, I do enjoy reading them. The parenting aspect doesn't interest me, although I do have a step daughter who I love to bits, see her a lot and do lots of things with.

However children don't actually interest me at all, never wanted any and never would have got involved with a man who had them, but I fell hopelessly in love with my husband. Thankfully the parenting bit isn't up to me, that is up to him and his ex, I am just there for the fun things in life with her, like playing on fairs, rock climbing etc.

My husband has rather considerately had the snip so no children for us, I couldn't share him when we are together I like to have him to myself

[cheerybear]

Thanks WorraLiberty Xx

[TurtleyAmazing]

Absolutely not. But you are unreasonable to hang around on a parenting site!

I've been on MN for a little while now and rarely discuss parenting. You don't have to have a child to discuss healthy eating or how to budget your money properly. You don't have to have a child to ask for advice regarding relationships or colleagues.

Not every aspect of this site is centered around children!

[HarpyFishwifeTwat]

I'm exactly the same. I love AIBU, Chat, Fiction but don't stray over to the more parenting focused topics. I've learned at lot about dealing with children which I do in voluntary roles and now have a little more consideration for parents. I don't judge the mum with a screaming toddler in the supermarket the way I used to (although I do still judge the ones who let their little darlings push the trolley into my legs).

It's a community website and like all communities there are people with and without children.

[HecatePropylaea]

You are not unreasonable to not have or want children, in fact I think it would be better if more people actually took a lot of time to think properly about whether having children was the right choice for them!

You are also not unreasonable to hang around here. We are AWESOME. I am always shocked to learn that there is anyone who doesn't want to be here

I have 2 children and I have been on here for about 7 years. I have probably started more threads about cheese than I have about parenting so I think the whole 'it's a place for parents' stuff is bollocks, really. imo it's a place for people to chat. Ideally they would be intelligent, articulate and funny people, but their parental status is not, to me anyway, relevant. It's really more a social club these days than a parenting club, I think.

[MehsMum]

YANBU to decide not to have kids. I joined because a) I have kids and b) had lurked for a week reading and found it insightful and funny. Also other people's responses to AIBUs confirmed my suspicion that my SIL really is an evil bitch a touch unpleasant and it isn't just me - and that was nothing to do with kids or parenting at all.

[cheerybear]

Thanks guys and I appreciate the welcome. I originally came over to have a nose at a controversial thread, but I haven't left since and really enjoy all the topics (not just the controversial ones). I probably would have continued to lurk but really felt I needed to put my point across last night and joined. I am not actually an argumentative person and will enjoy posting. Thanks again for the welcome

[ProfPlump]

you ARE a parent - you have a stepdaughter who you love her to bits.

[Idontseeanyicegiants]

YANBU, I originally came on here because of an article on one of the classics threads (not Penis beaker, one of the actually funny ones - I think it was an embarrassing moment type of thing) and stayed for everything else

[ShineSmile]

Of course yanbu and welcome :-)

[BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack]

MN isn't just a parenting site - look at all the boards, there's hundred of them and a minority regarding being a parent.

YANBU - having kids is not a necessity or a requirement :)

[steppemum]

Obviously I don't like anybody who is unhappy or having serious problems

I was with you until I read that, what a strange comment

[Idontseeanyicegiants]

Steppe I read that as the OP not getting any pleasure out of poster having serious problems

[Daisymasie]

YANBU. Lots of posters don't have children and lots of threads have nothing to do with children or babies. Even the ones that do are often issues that equally affect non-parents eg babies crying in restaurants.

Yes, you'll occasionally get an arse who'll say something stupid like 'I presume you don't have any children.....' to a poster daring to say she doesn't agree with kids being allowed run around and shout in the library or whatever.
But there's so many funny, nice, interesting posters on here they more than make up for the nasty or idiotic ones.

[steppemum]

apologies if I misunderstood OP

[Caff2]

One of my friends, who's lovely and a brilliant primary school teacher, never wants children, and she is a mumsnetter - and why shouldn't she be?

[cheerybear]

Thanks guys Xxx

And yes, I mean I like reading the posts, but I don't like to read that people are unhappy etc. I don't mind a bit of a comedy row, but I don't like hearing people are upset.

[Andrewofgg]

Male, son grown up, and I just like the company I keep here. Amazing people, with or without children.

[Vintagejazz]

If a poster is civil, witty, nice, and capable of arguing without becoming bitchy, personal or insulting then I don't care whether or not they have children. And hey, I even think they're entitled to comment on threads about children.