To wonder if MN has changed much in 13 or so years?

I remember you@GibbonNoRibbon
i joined about 16 years ago, for the sn topic, so no doubt met you there.
it was fun and loved the local meet ups.

its still good, if you avoid certain topics like the meghanhate one,

I don’t know how long I’ve been here, at least 10 years. I’ve always noticed threads about how much funnier and better it was years ago. It has got bigger and you do need to add lighthearted.

AIBU has always been a bun fight but there is a lot of support. Covid and Brexit were crazy.

for you

It has changed loads but I think it’s easy to look back with rose tinted spectacles.

It’s grown massively in the 19 ish years that I’ve been here. I like that it attracts people from a variety of backgrounds.

I wonder if it’s because all those women in their 20s and 30s have stayed with MN so now they’re in their 40/50s? Hence the average age has gone up. That’s what happened to me.

If someone posts a “lighthearted” thread, about 50% of posters will have a go at them anyway.

I think this sums it up.

' life is harder than it was' so true.

I also agree, people used to discuss the actual point that they disagreed with, now they just try to dismiss and silence others with labels and name calling . I guess that’s true of many parts of the public sphere now 🙁

Yes it was Gordon brown and jammy dodgers IIRC.

I don’t remember the ski trip one but I remember a regular troll called lavenderrrrrr with multiple rrrs . When she came onto a thread everyone would start talking about baby pasta.

I agree with this. Everyone seems to be "triggered" by anything nowadays 😅

It’s interesting, because I notice one poster remembers MN being very anti benefits in the old days, whereas I remember the opposite!

20 years ago, posters would come onto threads about benefits and tell people to mind their own business, and then take over the thread with nonsense conversations. Now, I notice a lot more disapproval of people having kids they ‘can’t afford’, or claiming UC instead of working more hours.

So I guess it’s all in the perception! Or what boards you frequent.

There seem to be more threads these days which remind me that despite the cost of living crisis, there really are plenty of staggeringly well off people in this country. I remember more working class posters in the past, but that might be because they were so prolific.

I still like mumsnet after 20 years because it’s so fast moving, there’s always something interesting to read, and it can be very informative.

Anyone remember the online date arranged for the penguin park. It went live literally. Oh it had me crying 🤣🤣

I've been on for about the same amount as you OP. With long periods of absence and then coming back. It seems to have become more mean-spirited and conservative (maybe like the UK in general?) than the old days. Fewer bouquets and flowers, less nuance. My impression.

When did you leave and why? What made you come back after such a long time?

England was literally a different country in 2005. In fact Earth was a different planet. It's far more densely populated and older and far more jaded now, with less optimism about future and humans in general. Or are those last two just me?!

Every now and then I like to read old charming threads like Korean granny in the garden.

And you can always check out the classics! Definitely funnier back then and there were fewer of us, so it felt safe and comforting. Clique-y but not much different from school, tbh.

There was a thread about two weeks ago that dug up info on the old faces and how much MN had changed, possibly check that one out, OP.

I've been here for 20 odd years and of course it's changed. Society has changed and MN is largely a reflection of society.

I just realised I've been reading mumsnet pretty much every day since 2014! Wow!

Oh yes. I remember baby paste.

I remember, anyfucker, dadslib getting it on with a mumsnetter at maybe a ball, meeting up for pizza in London.

It was friendly and supportive, less debate than now and people I think were more polite.

Been here 20 years, but change my username every month.

Actually it's time for my July change!

Absolutely not as funny, but you do sometimes get the occasional funny thread.

FWR is still as amazing as ever and will should down in history as helping make life safer for women and girls. 💜💚🤍

Never read an ant-trans comment at all.

I'm on here very single day, but left to for 2 years during Covid. It was mental!

And during Brexit. People foaming at the mouth. Nutters!

Still my go to place when I need to rant, or need advice or just need the support of some wonderful vipers.

I've mentioned the bat a couple of times over the last few years but no one commented. Thought I was one of the last who remembered.

I'd be lost without mumnset! I really would!

And I've got loads of real life mates too, so don't know why I love it so much!

Anyway. Welcome back!

Don't know how long I've been here.

It's mostly about telling people off now.