Things I have learnt solely due to Mumsnet

[isabellerossignol]

I was having a think today about various things that I had never heard of until I read about them on Mumsnet. Trivial stuff, 'general knowledge' type stuff, language stuff, history, all sorts really.

I had never heard of an Eleanor Cross.

Had never heard of the term 'wedding breakfast'.

Didn't know about how funerals differ around the UK.

Have learnt so much about feminism and how things that I had never previously considered actually have an impact on my life. I don't know where I would ever have come across that information if it weren't for Mumsnet.

There are so many more, but those popped into my head.

What's yours?

Stock cubes and foil.
Less delightful but more importantly, exactly what was going on with dc's digestive system and what I needed to get the GP to prescribe to sort it out.

Mypuddin - I learnt that only last month when I went to the Eden Project. I too thought that pineapples grew on trees.

As well as learning about the multitude of ways that some people make their partners’/exs’ lives a misery, I’ve learnt some basic legal stuff e.g. about birth certificates, parental responsibility and contact arrangements.

I’ve also realised that the drastic cuts to Legal Aid are indefensible, and have left a lot of people unable to get justice.

That Elmlea is not just a brand of cream.

What's this stock cube thing?

Cat squish them inside the foil and then cut the foil open and pour out. Saves you getting stock flavoured fingers.

I learnt how to handle my first miscarriage on here. I'm forever grateful for both the emotional support and the practical help I received through the pregnancy loss forum

Sorry for the downer, it was years ago and I have two lovely dc now. But it's how I discovered MN and I'm not sure where else I would have got such good advice irl.

Babylon’s big hair is a game changer

As is benefit porefection

Babyliss obvs
Bloody auto correct

A serious note.. I 'met' the uber barren club who were a godsend at a very difficult time. If any of you are still out there.. thank you! X

I learned that I’m not the only stepmum struggling with stepkids - and found better ways to handle things affecting me and help my DH be a better parent to his DCs.

Eleanor Crosses were erected in the places where Eleanor of Castille's body rested on its journey back to London. She was the wife of Edward the 1st.

I love the fact that it's anonymous on here, to an extent - you can't hear people's accents, and so you don't judge them (wrongly in many CASES in RL).

@shoebedobedobedobedoo and @drspouse

The fuel thing isn’t always true

Qwert

This made me laugh aloud!

Sowing Bees This made me laugh aloud!

I learnt about two great mental health resources, that saved me in the horrid confused state my traumatic birth left me in.

Outofthefog.net and the EnneagramInstitute.com.

The first one educated me on the practical strategies I needed to set (and police) healthy boundaries in my personal relationships.

The second one gave me an invaluable template for understanding (and dealing with) people with different personality types to mine. Also put me on a path to being a healthier version of my own personality type- it taught me what stresses me out, so I can catch it early and find my way back to calm.

Plus MN has taught me loads of more lighthearted-but-useful things. And a lot about the UK culture (I’m an outsider). Thanks MN!

That the trans and anti-trans issues really upset people.
In 30 years as an adult I know of one person who chose to change gender, did it without making a huge fuss (20 years ago) and carried on with their life & in their job.
It never occurred to me that the issue was anything other than personal to them.

Well, I’ve just learned about the Eleanor crosses from this thread. Bloody fascinating. I totally had my eyes opened by the feminism board regarding protecting women’s hard fought for spaces and the misogyny/homophobia/etc that is rampant in gender ideology.

That cling film kept in the fridge is easier to use, that you can have your oven professionally cleaned and just now what an Eleanor Cross is.

most of the above plus stunt pineapples.

Is refrigerated cling film actually any easier? My mum bloody loves that her cling film is in the fridge and she is just aching for me to ask after it. But we kept our coffee in the freezer and our cling film and nail polish in the fridge in the 90s and it did shit all, so I never mention it, and she makes a huge thing of waving it around, but I just think it bollocks. 😂

So much. Sexual assault and Rape. I had very poor but probably "normal" thoughts on it. You can extropolate - MN sorted me right out on that. Feminism - thought I was one until I started reading the boards here - what amazing discussions and debates. MN sorted me out there too as I hadn't a clue in hindsight. The French fashion thread sorted out my rags. A few housekeeping ones helped me tidy up. I learned that I am a trailing spouse and through other women and their experience I was able to finally put together my feelings. And two stories that make me laugh like there is no tomorrow - a woman who puts out "display" soap in the kitchen before friends come over and knows she is bananas and a woman who went to the pool with DC and DH and had her "minge on display" . That destroys me every time I think of it.
My life has been greatly enhanced by this place. Great kindness has been extended my way. I got mauled a few times to mind!

I learnt that on here, in the mumsnet universe- total strangers, show real kindness and understanding. I went through some seriously dark times and was unable to talk to people in my real life. People here really helped by just listening and giving me pointers for a new direction.
They will never know just how much their compassion helped, i would to thank them, if they recognise me.
Truly this is a great place!

I have just had to google Eleanor Cross. I don't think it's that odd not to know about them?