How did you discover Mumsnet and what was your first impression?

Found it whilst looking for parenting stuff on the web, and first impressions were WOW - LOVE IT!

Still love it. Only been here for a couple of months but I plan to stick around.

I saw an article in a baby magazine about 6 weeks ago, and thought I'd have a look. First impressions is that everybody knows everyone already - so feel a bit of an outsider, but I enjoy reading all the postings and occasionally get the nerve up to post something.

I was at work one day snooping on the internet, which we're strictly forbidden to do, at the bbc site and I typed in parenting to the search engine and it was a bbci recommended site. So when I got home that night I had a look and I've been here ever since.

I love all the different topics and how some are serious and some are fun. I've also had some good advice from people that i know I wouldn't get on other sites. It's easy to read and a lot more straight forward than other message boards that I've been to in the past.

Everyone who posts here is so friendly and supportive I honestly don't know what I'd do without my daily fix of mumsnet.

My first impression?

Ohhhhhh I love this!

it's as simple as that.

ps I first posted in Sept 2000 after seeing an article in the Times. Have not been around much recently since going back to work, but summer hols have given me time to surf again. I echo what others have said about non-response to threads, but at other times I have been overwhelmed by the deep kindness and support I have found at some very painful times in my life.

Scummymummy - my bro also has a radio flyer for his 2 kids, and they love it

funkymunky - if you've just had your 6th baby, you've probably forgotten more than the rest of us will ever know!

i live in south africa (any other south-africans on here?) and read about mumsnet in a baby magazine - my first in ages - had my 6th baby 4 months ago so figured i'd better do sum brushing up on my baby skills lol ... think its great here, log on evry chance i get!

SueW - no objection

Immediate addiction.

100% aggree with Meid.

I found mumsnet when I was searching for reviews on car seats. Then I found the talk and thought it was brilliant. I love the way all the messages for one topic go on the same page together so you can quickly scroll through, rather than having to press next and wait for a new page to load just to read a three word comment, like you do on many others.

I also love the fact that there's always loads of people posting on here and everyone seems really happy to try and give you advice. I posted a topic on another one (which shall remain nameless) a while ago about a pregnancy worry I had and no-one replied for 2 days, by which time I'd sorted it out and forgotten about it!!! Here it's totally different. I just posted on one topic and by the time I'd read another, I had a reply to my post!!! At least then you know there's people out there and you're not on your own!!!

If it was up to me, I'd want it to stay exactly the same, I think it's excellent.

I loved it the minute I logged on.

A friend told about this thread. I get lots of support from it and I enjoy helping others out if I can. My only criticism is that I can get quite addicted which really annoys DH

I'd heard of mumsnet a while before I started logging on - Carrie used to book her holidays with the travel agency I used to work for (she may still do for all I know) - I think my boss there did some stuff on mumsnet with regards to holiday advice for families.
Then last year when I found myself struggling with being a step-mum I turned to mumsnet, and found great advice and support, and suddenly got the confirmation I needed that what i was doing was bloody hard work! Even though I'm not a "biological" parent the website facinates me, I still log-on to read up on stuff - preparing for when I do become a full time mum!!

Oxocube I suspect mine was found it for me so I wouldn't notice him sneaking off to go fishing!

Found it when surfing for 'child friendly holidays' the week after we returned from holiday with our 9 months old!! Clearly the reviews are finding lots of people...
Can't really remember my first impression but I know I felt on the same wavelength as a lot of the postings - first time I'd looked at a specifically parenting site and I must say the other ones I've looked at since just aren't the same at all

I discovered it while I was looking for information about Post Natal Depression. I had been suffering for 18 mths and hadn't told anyone or found any help. DP was at the end of his tether with me!

I found Mumsnet and WOW.... I'm normal after all! It felt like such a relief to type all my thoughts out and all the hidden feelings I had during my deep depression. Suddenly, I didn't feel like a bad parent, a failure, a lunatic etc etc. So many people offered advice and I've made friends as a result.

Thanks Mumsnet.

Lou33, I think my dh stumbled across this site too and directed me to it. Can't in Heaven's name imagine how, though, as he's none too keen on babies and stuff (constantly asks me how/why we have 3 ) it is wonderful though. I feel I have made so many friends though Mumsnet. Love it!

I can't remember how I found mumsnet now, but read for a long, long time before I posted. I thought you all seemed to know each other really well and hate that whole new girl thing. I post on another board as well, but when I talk about them to dh mumsnet is referred to as the middle-class mums one as opposed to the other. Not saying which I feel more comfortable on, but quite like the anonymity of mumsnet sometimes.

I read about mumsnet in The Guardian a while ago - have only been here for a couple of days but already I can't stop refreshing the Active Conversations page...

I'm trying to put together some positive comments about mumsnet to put on the stand next week at the NEC and I wonder if anyone would object to my taking their words from this thread?

So far I have:

it's always interesting and a source of great advice - spacemonkey

going to miss it when I go on maternity leave no PC at home sob sob!!!! Lulu41

It's so user-friendly as they say and the topics and advice is right up my street - 54321

The range of knowledge and topics on here continues to astound me - Janeway

it gives me so much and not just in terms of parenting but also a release from work and life at times - meanmum

I love the clarity of it - JanZ

I'm hopelessly addicted - SoupDragon

I think I learn something new everytime I visit - nerdgirl

I sadly felt drawn to post and stop lurking after my little boy died. Mumsnet was just amazingly helpful, and has really got me through some tremendously difficult times. - Bobbins

I was instantly hooked - Meid

I like the feeling that I'm not alone when ds does things that I don't know how to handle - whellid

I don't have many friends who are parents and I don't always want to ask my family for advice. Mumsnet is a godsend! - ghengis

If anyone objects, please let me know. Cheers

lou33 recommended it to me last year. My first impression was that it's always interesting and a source of great advice - and I still think so.

I actually found it as part of a search on cradle cap - and found it to be informative and interesting.

My friend had been going on about mumsnet for ages and it was one of the first sites I checked when we got the computer. I remember starting a thread bascially asking if I was a terrible mother for going away for a week with my DH and leaving DS behind. I don't know what I really expected but received lots of advice all saying go for it. I did and we are going away next month.