It’s goodbye from me

I've definitely seen rude comments in my time. The line between straight talking and outright rudeness can be a tricky one to get right consistently.

I don’t blame you. MN has become vile and weirdly I find it’s not the nicest community I’ve been part of for mums/parents.

Youve just got to be clever about the way you ask a question/post a thread. I agree - it has been great for getting opinions.

& she wasn't/isnt rude. It's a very caring person who just says it like it is and doesn't want people putting up with shit relationships.

Yes it has. It's unrecognisable from what it was 20 years ago.

She’s still around.

There are some genuinely lovely, kind hearted people on here. I am very grateful to a few MNers over the years for their support to a random stranger.

MN was so helpful to me a few weeks ago.
I was in a foreign city with my teen son who became unwell.
It all turned out absolutely fine, but for one evening I felt worried, alone and unsure what to do.
By the end of the evening I felt reassured, supported and cared for. By a load of lovely strangers.

I wondered if the demographic change was a generational one, depressing.

Why did you say it?

I think overall its a very pleasant forum. The vast majority of posters are polite and friendly. Some are absolutely lovely, and I see lots of wise, kind, supportive posts. Obviously some threads deal with controversial subjects, so if you're personally invested in a topic where there are strong opposing views, it's highly likely you'll read things you don't care for. If that offends or hurts you, it's better leaving those threads to those who don't mind a bit of a row.
You do get people who pop up randomly and say something unnecessarily nasty. There's a right charmer on a S&B thread at the moment. But quite honestly, it's usually clear they're not the sharpest tool in the shed, a weirdo, or daft as a brush, so not to be taken seriously.

I'm well aware of what a food bank is and how to access one.

It is not a viable long term alternative to being able to afford to eat. And as I said, you need to fit and healthy to get there, carry everything home, and make creative meals. Which I am not.

I am quite literally starving so there's no need for the inverted commas. I can barely keep myself above being underweight. Picture attached to show what I mean. I don't have more weight to lose.

I totally agree. I often wonder if some of the posters on here would reply in the same manner if it was a face to face discussion.

I've been on since mumsnet started too @solongandthxforthefish I was even asked if I'd like to help, but being on maternity leave and facing going back to work, I declined.

I too see this huge change. It was all help, cheer and support in those early days - the founders have done a great job influencing government on key areas too.

There are so many keyboard warriors now who pick on people for ridiculous things like spelling and commas. Small minded people who can't work out how to just chill and find a solution.

I do wonder if the majority of the first subscribers were genx and so the issue is about how boomers and genx have brought up the younger generations. Yes it's on us.

How we're all so heavily influenced by social media and fake news and therefore some think we can lay into people without repercussion because noone can see you. Or that being rich or famous is the end game.

Social media is both a joy and curse. I take time out a lot cos I know how else to spend my time having lived in a world where there wasn't a public internet or social media. I feel sorry for the younger generations who have little or no experience of some of the joys in life that are not gained through an electronic device.

X

Fucking hell. Talk about having no fucking idea.🙄

Most people have no interest in attacking the seriously ill and disabled. But are understandably frustrated to see any concern at all about welfare costs misrepresented as putting the boot into the most vulnerable. As someone in a very vulnerable group of claimants myself, I don’t feel personally attacked or threatened by these discussions going on. Does anyone really think it helps to try and shame the public into silence about their concerns? I honestly feel like that is the worst possible thing to do when the truly seriously disabled can’t help but rely on taxpayer support.

What?! I am asking why she is ‘starving’ when we have food banks and soup kitchens and a whole spectrum of options!! What the hell. Maybe she doesn’t know how to access them? I was being helpful

Thank you x

That is a really unkind comment. Have some compassion! Good grief!

The food bank isn't some magical solution. They barely give you anything for a start. Most of it requires clever and inventive cooking backed up with other ingredients you need to source yourself, which is difficult and physically not always possible for me. I also can't always get there because I'm not always well enough to leave the house. I need food delivered to me that is simple to prepare - which I cannot afford. Neither can I travel elsewhere to somewhere that is warm because I am bed bound a lot of the time.

Nice of you to blame me for being hungry and cold though.

Let them eat cake !

Won’t be long before they turn on those in a coma as well ! An ICU bed costs a lot per day ! 🤦😭

Why aren’t you going to the food bank so you can eat food before taking your medication? I don’t understand why you haven’t done this if you are struggling. There are warm centres everywhere in the U.K. since the Russian invasion sent prices rocketing. No one needs to ever starve in this country, there are plenty of options.

Yep. Today I've read that the only excuse for not working is being in a coma. Luckily that wasn't on MN but still - people are loving being able to rip into the sick and disabled.

I have developed a stomach ulcer from so long being unable to afford to eat properly and having to take strong painkillers on an empty stomach.

So don't you worry about people being made to suffer on a pittance. We already are. So far starving me and making sure I can't afford heating has still not cured my disease and made me look for work. It's only made me even sicker and cost the taxpayer even more because now I need even more medical treatment.

That's why reading this bullshit is heartbreaking. Throwing disabled people under the bus is fucking horrible.

Bravo!