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Original poster

Is Mumsnet a net negative or positive in your life?

91 replies

Neteffect · 03/02/2023 15:56

NC but I am a regular poster and I'm NOT dissing mumsnet at all.

I've had amazing advice on parenting issues and love Style & Beauty which is also a v friendly section. I was also 'peaked' by the sex and gender discussions.

But sometimes I feel dragged down by the relentless negative threads and the arguments, particularly on things like BF vs FF, child obesity, poverty and the attitude of 'race to the bottom etc.

I cant actually decide if, on a daily basis, mumsnet has a negative or positive effect on my life and mood! Tell me how you all feel please!

OP posts:
Warspite · 03/02/2023 16:16

I had to stop looking, esp the Relationships forum when I met some big challenges in my relationship. It did help my mood to take the break but before that it also helped me to deal with the nonsense I was faced with. All good now.

However, my goodness, it’s been a real revelation about the world(s) I had no idea about. Especially the struggles young parents are having. I’ve clearly led a sheltered life and sometimes it does make me worried about the worlds we live in and the awful stresses some people are having to endure. I take breaks quite often now.

On the whole I enjoy MN but try to look on it like a magazine. Lots of good articles, advice, gardening, health and beauty and so on and try to scroll by too much heavyweight stuff which has spawned hundreds of replies.

Lifelessordinary1 · 03/02/2023 16:14

I only ever go on when i am bored at work - i would never spend my own time on it - so overall its a benefit. Something that breaks up my day.

Original poster
Neteffect · 03/02/2023 16:14

I know you can step away but sometimes- to use an awful analogy- you can't stop looking at the car crash!

OP posts:
70sWasTheBestMusicEra · 03/02/2023 16:13

It's put me off men even more than my own shit relationships. Glad I'm single.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 03/02/2023 16:13

If you're starting to feel that it has a negative impact on your life, or that it might be having a negative impact, it's probably time to step away.

KangarooKenny · 03/02/2023 16:11

I think it’s generally a positive, but if I have those days where it’s dragging me down I walk away.

Lykia · 03/02/2023 16:11

I enjoy browsing various threads. The holiday one in particular however what I can't stand are the Brits vs Europeans ones. Eg:

Brits drink more than Europeans - oh god we're so bad.
Brits dress badly compared to Europeans - every other Brit is wearing pyjamas to Tesco with their slug eyebrows.
Britain is hell whole cesspit compared to Europe/ROTW.

I mean what do these threads gain? Let's have a whinge fest and slate the UK - fine but what do they achieve?

And yes I do know that the UK is in Europe.

HowcanIgetoutofthisalive · 03/02/2023 16:09

I agree OP.

There are days where threads can make me feel low so I don't come on for a couple of days.

ilovesooty · 03/02/2023 16:09

RandomUsernameHere · 03/02/2023 16:08

If it had a negative impact I just wouldn't ever use it

Agreed. Nothing anyone says on here affects me much one way or the other.

magicscares · 03/02/2023 16:09

Bit of both. I’ve learnt some incredibly useful stuff around boundaries & what is acceptable from others (LTB type stuff that I didn’t grow up learning). Also there are some really funny people on here.
i find the doom & gloom threads about the terrible state of the UK depressing & not all that helpful.
It’s also quite addictive for me which isn’t helpful!

Notjusta · 03/02/2023 16:09

Neteffect · 03/02/2023 16:06

It doesn't impact my life in the round but sometimes, if I scroll too much one day, I can feel the dip in mood.

Agree about relationships - it can make you feel like the world is populated with really awful men.

I agree OP and I sometimes need to make myself step away. It certainly can have a doom scrolling effect.

RandomUsernameHere · 03/02/2023 16:08

If it had a negative impact I just wouldn't ever use it

Original poster
Neteffect · 03/02/2023 16:06

It doesn't impact my life in the round but sometimes, if I scroll too much one day, I can feel the dip in mood.

Agree about relationships - it can make you feel like the world is populated with really awful men.

OP posts:
DashboardConfessional · 03/02/2023 16:04

I stay out of Relationships these days. Too many men getting away with being absolute cliché bad boyfriends and the women going "But maybe it's my fault he calls me x and y".

vodkaredbullgirl · 03/02/2023 16:01

I just take everything with a pinch of salt.

NuffSaidSam · 03/02/2023 15:59

Mumsnet doesn't really impact my life at all. I think if it's having that much impact on your life it might be time to take a break. Or at least just stop looking at the threads that are troubling you.

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