What has Mumsnet taught you?

[TigsytheTiger]

I was just reading a thread about how long people had been on MN and a poster mentioned that being on MN had taught her to be more empathetic.

Made me think about what I've learnt from being on MN and I'm interested to know what other people have.

First for me was the discovery of "the script" thank the lord it saved my life. I wasn't going mad and it wasn't me!

I discovered feminism and that it didn't mean wearing dungarees and DM"s. I don't really post there but I enjoy lurking and it's changed the way I view the world and have brought my daughter up.

I've made some really lovely off site friends who are incredibly supportive.

And not something I've learnt but it has literally made me laugh out loud on some occasions.

On the not so nice side, there are some people who can be very mean and bitter and appear to enjoy pissing on anyone's chips. You say you like the colour blue OP, what's wrong with green? Poor green, I would hate to be you OP!!

What have you learnt from MN?

What is The Script? I’m intrigued.

For me Mumsnet taught me it’s ok to aspire to much more. And that there are some seriously clever and well read people on here which has made me try to better myself.

A lot.
Definitely agree with you about empathy. I wouldn't have considered myself to have been living in a bubble, but I was unaware of the realities of many people's lives who have to live with things I don't.

The script as in the bible?

It’s definitely broadened my mind and helped me to see different lives. People probably have a very good reason for behaving the way they do.

I'm sure someone else can better describe the script but it relates to infidelity and the series of excuses/minimising and gas lighting that ifollows

The Script is the things men say when they're caught cheating. I didn't kiss her. Ok, I did kiss her but only once. Ok, it was more than once. Ok, I did sleep with her. Ok, I have been sleeping with her for a year and so on, as more evidence comes to light.

That I've got a lot to be thankful for.

Some people have awful parents/ partners/children/neighbours or are coping with terrible loss or illness. I find it shocking and upsetting that so many people are leading shit lives.

That people are prepared to reveal so much personal /financial information on here.

That almost everyone on MN has a child that will go to Oxbridge or failing that a Russell Group university and that anything different/less is a waste of time and money.

That the gap between rich and poor is exposed daily on MN from people spending the GDP of a small country on a handbag to those who are faced with period poverty.

That the nest of vipers that is MN actually has lots of kind, supportive, clever, witty and knowledge users. Its become my forum of choice whenever I need info, advice or just a bloody good laugh.