to want to participate in an internet forum where people dont spend inordinate amounts of time slagging each other off...?

[farrowandball]

for some things, mumsnet is invaluable. i have received good advice, laughed out loud, read posts which have made me reflect on my own life.

but - i cant help but feel a tad repulsed by the levels of strident abuse of late.

surely its possible to acknowledge there are different ways of living/raising children and that is a good thing? within the bounds of genuinely abusive behaviour (and i dont mean using a buggy or the occasional sweet or whatever) how can anyone really be so sure that they are right, that they feel empowered to belittle and criticise others? surely its possible to contribute to discussions without getting abusive?

I cant help but feel that no-one gets it completely right. and that the point of an arena like this is to support and share.

it makes me really sad. that's all i wanted to say.

[blueskythinker]

I think it is the school holidays & crap weather. It is driving everyone nuts - Mums & trolls kids.

[cthea]

I just ignore some threads as they're not worth my time. I think there's lots of trolling about.

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Sounds like you need to take a bit of time off if it's getting to you. IMO the best thing about MN is the robustness and directness - even if it can be a bit harsh sometimes.

[CvQ]

i must miss these threads.all ive ever seen is great advice and support with a little bit of 'spice' thrown in

[Overmydeadbody]

Just ignore the threads in question, or better still, hide them.

MN is there for support and advice, and when people really need it, that's what they get.

[Aitch]

i come here for the opinion, myself, my sense of self is sufficiently strong to cope with peopel who disagree with me. in fact i like it, i'd hate it if MN became somewhere where it was all hugz and hunnis.

[lisad123]

if it has comments about FF v BF, Working mums v SATM, stay away

[GivePeasAChance]

Agree with Aitch. But won't give her a hug.

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Oh I think we should all give Aitch lots of {{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}

Hun.

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Oh I think we should all give Aitch lots of {{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}

Hun.

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Oh I think we should all give Aitch lots of {{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}

Hun.

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Oh I think we should all give Aitch lots of {{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}

Hun.

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Whoops - obviously so heartfelt that I had to give her hugs three times!

(sorry, Aitch!)

[Aitch]

[horrified] don't even think about it.

btw when i was in student digs we used to have an oh-so-hilarious sign up above the grill saying 'make toast not war'. your name always reminds me of those happy marmitey times...

[Aitch]

x-posted with BIWI.

[HumphreyHassock]

[GivePeasAChance]

I hate marmite

[Aitch]

i'm not a big fan of peas but i wasn't going to say...

[GivePeasAChance]

Give them a chance

[Aitch]

oh how LONG have you wanted to say that? i'm so pleased for you.

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Too mushy, Aitch.

[S1ur]

Perhaps you could think of mn as more than a share and support pigeonhole? (strangely that brings to mind a construction of structural hugz brackets, feathers and tmi vomit)

Anyhoo.

Mumsnet is more. People should be able to be provocative in their answers and be whatever they want in a debate, truly abusive posts always get jumped on by the rest of us and the fact that they are outweighed 100-1 is another example of mumsnet working well. Censorship and limited posting isn't as honest or healthy or helpful in a forum IMVHO.

[FAQ]

"if it has comments about FF v BF, Working mums v SATM, stay away "

no that's totally wrong - if it has comments about any aspect of parenting, politics, relationships or religion - stay away

what's that you say? It only leaves buying and selling left.........oh............

Sleep welll everyone

[Aitch]

JUST got 'too mushy'.