Calling all lurkers! This is YOUR week: prizes to be won!

[RebeccaMumsnet]

AHOY! LONGTIME LURKERS!

We know you’re out there and we long to welcome you into the light. If you’ve been reading the boards for a while, but haven’t quite plucked up the courage to jump into the fray - or simply haven’t been able to settle on a username from your longlist - then this is YOUR week.

We’ve created a new topic - Newbies’ corner, especially for you. We’ve updated our ‘getting started’ guidelines in your honour (and even put them into video form, to make things easier still). We’ve come up with a guide to Mumsnet’s acronyms, so you’ll be spared the embarrassment of having to ask what a BFP is, or what you’d be doing if you LTB. We’ve summarised the key things you need to know about Mumsnet in a handy infographic (click here to discover exactly how many teabags we get through a week in MNHQ), and gathered the most legendary threads in the site’s history in one place, so you can do your background reading.

We've got a clutch of offers available exclusively to de-lurked MNers - and as if all that isn’t enough, we’re also offering spot prizes to those of you who make their your first post this week. Yes, really! So if you want to be in the running for

-two pairs of Kickers and £100 vouchers from <a class="break-all" href="http://track.webgains.com/click.html?wgcampaignid=185523&wgprogramid=10431&clickref=competitionthread&wgtarget=www.tower-london.com" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">Tower London

• a midweek family break for four at Crieff Hydro
  
• a Benefit beauty hamper worth £200
  
• a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Bloom and Wild
  
• tickets to the Ideal Home show
  
• Audible are giving all new members five free books
  

among many other prizes, get posting now.

And! We'll be awarding all stalwarts who extend the hand of friendship to newbies with your very own halo emoji, to say thanks


So come on folks, don't be shy: venture on below and tell us what you think of MN, and we'll pop your name into the lurkers' hat to win some fab goodies. Happy posting! MNHQ

[murkylurker]

I'll go first...I am the queen of lurking. I know what LTB and BFP mean an all!

I come on hear to hear differing points of view, outside of my social circle. I find it fascinating to know what people really think!

How long do before I can graduate out of newbies is my question ?

[RebeccaMumsnet]

Hi Murky!

Welcome, welcome.

The idea is to stick around with some newbies until you feel comfy. It could be a post or two, or you could hang around for a couple of months, all depends on how you feel about dipping your toe into the rest of Mumsnet.

Nice to see you post

[EnglishIrishRose]

Well hello there,

I'm a long-time lurker, I admit it! I've been lurking on the fostering threads, as I am in the assessment process to become a foster carer. I've found the forum really helpful and have loved reading posts from existing foster carers, as well as getting general parenting tips.

I have no birth children, so this is my first foray into parenting - wish me luck!

[PeaceLoveAndJaffaCakes]

Hello lurkers! Join the dark side! We have gin!

[RebeccaMumsnet]

Good luck EnglishIrishRose!

[EnglishIrishRose]

Ah, gin... I KNEW there was a reason I was here!

[honeysucklejasmine]

Ooh, new people!

My first message board was a LOTR fansite back in 2001. On there they had an "Adoption Thread" where new posters could pop up and be "adopted" by old timers. I was adopted by a lovely Canadian girl who I am still in touch with regularly, 15 years later! Half my life, oh my

Great idea, MNHQ!

[PM10]

Hello. New here - just wanted to vent!

Big feature in today's Independent about a guy who decided to take on rearing duties. There's some big truths in there, but I can't help but feel slightly irked ... why should a man get the opportunity to share his feelings on what millions of mums do on a daily basis?!!

Anyone with me?

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/how-becoming-a-full-time-father-has-changed-me-as-a-man-a6929091.html

[Esoresila]

I've been reading posts for a few weeks as I only joined MN in January when I had my DS (still trying to get the hang of the abbreviations lol) I don't remember maternity leave feeling quite this loanley when I had both my DD's! So hopefully I can find a few new ideas on here to get me networking with other mums

[RebeccaMumsnet]

Hi there PM,

Nice of you to post and welcome to Mumsnet.

You could start your own thread over in In The News about this issue if you like? You may get a better specific response over there. Here's our

We have also edited your post to remove your name from the post as many folks prefer the anonymity on here. It's obviously up to you if you'd like to use it again in the future.


Welcome

[RebeccaMumsnet]

@Esoresila

I've been reading posts for a few weeks as I only joined MN in January when I had my DS (still trying to get the hang of the abbreviations lol) I don't remember maternity leave feeling quite this lonely when I had both my DD's! So hopefully I can find a few new ideas on here to get me networking with other mums

Welcome Esoresila and congratulations on the birth of your son.

Give us a shout if you'd like any help finding your way around.

Nice to see you posting

[PM10]

AH! Thanks, RebeccaMumsnet! Will do - starting to get the hang of this!

[Deedee75]

Hello!

I've been a member of MN for quite a while, since I was pg with my eldest son who is 7 next month (I also have an 18 mo), but only really started lurking on the boards a couple of months.

This is actually my second post with my first being a review after being chosen to try some of the pasta sauces the other week :) so my first proper post really.

Maybe now I'll feel brave enough to start replying to other posts!

[coffeeisnectar]

Hello lurkers and virgin posters :o

I've been here a year after getting banned from netmums

I love it here. 99% of the posters are lovely but don't post your first thread in AIBU because that it a baptism of fire!

There are a lot of long time posters who are great at giving out advice, are fonts of knowledge on everything from legal stuff to how to unblock a toilet after your child has thrown sixteen toilet rolls and the tv remote down it

Just find a thread, post a reply and join in. It really is a lot of fun and a great way to take your mind off the day to day grind.

Every now and then you get an utter gem such as 'You only have four weeks to get your dog microwaved' (which should be in classics cough MNHQ) instead of microchipped. MN as it's hilarious best.

[gruffaloshmuffalo]

Hi PM!

I've just read that and I dunno quite how I feel. A part of me is a bit about it. Loads of women feel the same way! The other part is just thinking that at least it's out there. I work full time and my husband works part time and he is the main carer. Our kids are the only ones at nursery with that set up, so at first DH was looked upon like the God of childcare while I was judged by other mom's. At least more and more people are bringing into wider view I guess.

Also, welcome to mumsnet! I found the site years ago because I was originally looking for Net mums (the shame) and stayed because people are normal. No one claims to be the best, or the most wonderful, (if they do they are quickly told otherwise) it's just real life from others going through it too. You're never alone with mumsnet, at least I've never felt so.

[GibbousHologram]

Hello Lurkers
Thank god you're here! Come and save us from ourselves!!

[rewardformissingmojo]

Not my first post, but I'm not a regular either. coffeeisnectar how did you get banned?! I sense a story..

[ExitPursuedByABear]

What place is this?

It's all shiny and clean.

[Pickofthepops]

Hi is the audible offer for new mumsnetters or new audible accounts? Thanks

[EnglishIrishRose]

@ExitPursuedByABear - I am now kicking myself that I didn't pick your username. The Winter's Tale is my favourite Shakespeare play and I've seen that stage direction done in some very original ways in theatre productions!

[gingerruthie]

Hi fellow lurkers! I've just joined in the last few weeks. Trying for my first baby and I'm always on here searching for answers to my late AF and my new adventure into using a Clearblue fertility monitor. I love the reassurance!
X

[ExitPursuedByABear]

I've had this name for years................

[annieno1]

Great idea mumsnet

[Smegtastic]

First ever post after months of lurking spend half my day on mumsnet and the other half googling the acronyms!

[PeaceLoveAndJaffaCakes]

I've got a halo! Not sure it suits me thanks anyway MNHQ!