Tell MNHQ why you use Mumsnet

[EllieMumsnet]

Here at MNHQ we would really like to get to know our users better and would therefore love to know why you use Mumsnet and if Mumsnet has managed to help you in any way.

Is the main reason you use Mumsnet for the advice from other users? And if so, what advice do you look for in particular or is it on everything and anything? Do you use Mumsnet as a place to browse the funny threads and have a bit of ‘you’ time? Is it more the product/service reviews and recommendations that you use Mumsnet for? Has the support of fellow Mumsnet users helped you get through a tough time? Or maybe you have created long-term friendships with other users and come on to chat to them.

Whatever the reasons you use Mumsnet and any stories you have on how Mumsnet has helped you, we would love to hear them so please share them on the thread below.

Thanks
MNHQ

How are the responses going to be used?

Can the mods at Mumsnet tell Mumsnetters why they moderate?

I assume it's because you love us all and just want us to get along naicely, but I worry in case some mods are just doing it for the money.

Can’t you work this out based on who posts on what etc?

Yes. I believe the gender critical feminists on mumsnet (and I go back to Dittany days) may genuinely have saved my sanity and also the future of my DC when the only other advice I got on the Internet was to transition my then-4-year-old child.

You will always have my loyalty for hosting this discussion. Thank you.

I use MN purely for the feminist discussion. I venture into other parts but it is FWR that keeps me here. I enjoy very much reading the insights of intelligent, articulate women and the allowance of GC opinion. It's the thing that sets it apart from other forums and the only thing keeping me here when I've given up on other websites.

I joined for the baby feeding advice. Many many years past that point, I have stayed for the Feminism board, which often feels like a last bastion of sane and thoughtful social critique.

For the past few years it's been FWR that's kept me here too. Mumsnet taught me about feminism & while I join in the running threads & ethical living threads sometimes, I'm mainly here for that.

I joined for child raising discussion, and stay now for the Feminism boards. Mumsnet is holding out and now the tide is turning in other media as the issue gets a wider airing. Let's hope Mumsnet can be at the forefront of defending and retaining women's sex-based rights.

I'm on a couple of long running threads, the people on there feel like friends, also, if I need the answer to a question and can't find it anywhere else, I'll ask on here.

It is the feminism board that keeps me using MN.

It’s a female-centred space full of intelligent, diverse, opinionated people who care deeply about children and domestic ‘women’s stuff’ that never gets discussed elsewhere. It’s a safe space.

It’s funny, it’s irreverent, it’s full of advice and I get some Christmas shopping done too.

Thanks MNHQ.

I came to Mumsnet initially for AIBU and discussion around pushchair choices.
I stay now for Feminism Chat. I have learnt so much from the wonderful, intelligent women posting here and gain daily from their collective female centred wisdom and strength.

I used to use it for advice about my DC's, and sometimes to post on teaching/special needs threads. Now I'm more interested in the feminist board and find the discussions there interesting. I also lurk on style and beauty, gardening and pets.

It’s the only place I can talk honestly and openly to women. Feminist Chat and relationships boards have saved my sanity. Some posters deserve public serve awards for all they do, I find many women on her utterly remarkable.

Feminism chat is what mostly keeps me lurking, I read most threads there but rarely comment (most people say their piece far more articulately than I can manage). If women's voices are silenced here in respect of some subjects I would stop using it.

I found this board years ago looking for baby advice.

I stay for the excellent posters on FWR who have taught me so much about Misogyny and how to safeguard my daughters from it.

Feminist chat is by far the most important part of the board to me. Mostly lurking though. Suspect that there are loads of others like me.

I read on a lot of threads which I don't necessarily post on. Purely to learn what others think. The trans discussions have been eye opening. I also like the discussion of current affairs, advice about personal dilemmas and generally the mix of people and views. Some criticize it saying it's not as good as the old days but I still love it as a forum.

Mumsnet is my favourite website! I post a bit, I browse a bit. I rarely start posts but have done occasionally over the years.

The best things about Mumsnet IMO are:

• the feminist board (it’s hard to find such a positive active feminist voice anywhere on the internet)
• the 50 book challenge thread
• the sheer number of users means that you get views from posters from quite different backgrounds, which helps counter the ‘echo chamber’ effect on other parts of the internet (and in real life)
• the humour - some posters are very funny

I mostly read the FWR threads, but do not post. I'm not in the UK so laws are different here and things are slower to catch on. I shall be prepared when the shit hits the Spanish fan!

Otherwise i flit in and out of different threads - relationships, spooky chat threads, baby names, Christmas, CF threads. And i am a sucker for property threads where they post links to Rightmove - i miss British house styles and massive gardens

Joined for baby advice, found feminism chat and stayed

Mainly FWR; it's fantastic.

Procrastination

for the posts from the many strong articulate women passionate on many topics from feminism to perfumes, I learn a lot from them on a lot of different topics.

Just wish there was a way of filtering out those whose only contribution is to throw sneers or insults.

Schools, and education, were my starting point. And that showed me the often exceptional level of thinking, and reasoning, behind people's choices,which helped me clarify what would be best for my dds.

Then I discovered just how much fun it was on so many threads. CatThiefKeith, RIP, and other witty women, had me crying with laughter so often. Style and beauty; the constant support offered by strangers to people in need of help; menopause; all sorts of product recommendations - the list goes on, and grows with me as my life evolves.

But the most important area is FWR and the amazing contributors. Their clear thoughts, patient explanations, rational arguments that are supported by facts and statistics, and not by unsubstantiated 'feelings', the links to articles by a wider range of authors and publications than I would find myself, giving me more confidence to talk, and not be held back by the need to be polite, and not hurt other's feelings, when they clearly don't give a shit about mine. I am a woman = adult human female.

I applaud Mumsnet for having the courage to continue offering space to women, in all our fabulous, rich, and wide diversity.