Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why Are Some MumsNetters Not Parents?

119 replies

SavvymummyLondon · 29/01/2026 21:30

Hi All, long time follower, first time poster.

Prior to becoming a parent, things targeting parents & carers were completely off my radar. However, I have noticed a few times people who self-declare that they are not parents or carers post on the MumsNet AIBU page and I think to myself...but why? 🤔

I found out about MumsNet when I was expecting, and started engaging with the content once I became a mum. Before that, MumsNet wouldn't have even exisited in my universe!

I'm genuinely curious.

OP posts:
TheTVisneverbigenough · 29/01/2026 21:41

Where else can you find arguments about whether it's wrong to be pissed off if someone wakes you up at 2am for stupid reasons😁

NuffSaidSam · 29/01/2026 21:41

This reply has been deleted

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

You must be an excellent audience at a comedy night if that makes you laugh!

BelleIsleDerrick · 29/01/2026 21:41

I took VERY early retirement a year ago and I'm bored to tears. Joking,plenty to do,but I definitely have more free time.
Plus some of the dings-dongs people have on here are better than 1960s Coronation Street!🤣🤣🤣
On a serious note- there are a whole bunch of intelligent,hilarious and good- natured people giving sound advice about all manner of subjects,not just parenthood.

Gingercar · 29/01/2026 21:40

OttersMayHaveShifted · 29/01/2026 21:38

Maybe because the majority of the talk boards on MN are not actually about children?

Yes this.
And also because there is so much funny or stupid content on Mumsnet. I mean this thread is pretty stupid…!

PaperBlueCornflower · 29/01/2026 21:40

Cos most people have a Mum?

Ragamuffin8 · 29/01/2026 21:39

It’s the biggest online forum for women in the UK.

I don’t read the parenting threads. Love reading the style & beauty, health, relationships, finance threads etc.

PotteryChuck · 29/01/2026 21:39

0/10

NuffSaidSam · 29/01/2026 21:39

SavvymummyLondon · 29/01/2026 21:30

Hi All, long time follower, first time poster.

Prior to becoming a parent, things targeting parents & carers were completely off my radar. However, I have noticed a few times people who self-declare that they are not parents or carers post on the MumsNet AIBU page and I think to myself...but why? 🤔

I found out about MumsNet when I was expecting, and started engaging with the content once I became a mum. Before that, MumsNet wouldn't have even exisited in my universe!

I'm genuinely curious.

If you're genuinely curious do a big think, so hard it almost hurts and see if you can think up some reasons. There are quite a few so you should be able to get at least three I'd say!

Changingplace · 29/01/2026 21:39

This reply has been deleted

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

You really might want to give a little bit of thought and self awareness about the various reasons why a ‘mumsnetter’ might not have children, sadly many of those reasons aren’t much of a giggle :)

OnTheBoardwalk · 29/01/2026 21:39

How long have you been following if you’ve never seen this question asked a billion times before

i got into mumsnet by googling why does my dishwasher take 2.5 on a cycle. Nothing to do with me being a mum or not

oh and I got my answer

OttersMayHaveShifted · 29/01/2026 21:38

Maybe because the majority of the talk boards on MN are not actually about children?

EchoedSilence · 29/01/2026 21:38

You are not very savvy.

ChamonixMountainBum · 29/01/2026 21:37

Several rounds of failed IVF.

henlake7 · 29/01/2026 21:37

It's probably only about 20% of the forum that is specific to parents though. Plenty of other categories have nothing to do with kids, and I don't think AIBU is specific to parents either.
I don't have kids but this forum covers alot of topics relevant to me and is extremely active....that's why I'm here!

catinateacup · 29/01/2026 21:36

For interesting discussion on a largely female site full of intelligent, well-informed women? I started using MN when I was pregnant with DD, but these days I mostly use boards and post on topics that aren’t explicitly to do with kids - eg. Christmas, feminism, AIBU, and so on.

FryingPam · 29/01/2026 21:35

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

ilovesooty · 29/01/2026 21:34

If you are a long time follower, I'm surprised that you're not aware that there is plenty on the site that isn't focused on parenting and that MNHQ have made it clear that all are welcome.

Changingplace · 29/01/2026 21:34

I joined mumsnet when I was ttc, then stayed when we did IVF, and that didn’t work, and now I’m still here.

AlcoholicAntibiotic · 29/01/2026 21:32

Wait until you find out there’s even a special board for Mumsnetters without children. Has your brain exploded yet?

Swipe left for the next trending thread