I honestly, truly wouldn’t be the woman I am today without Mumsnet. Anyone else?

[ChocAuVin]

I’ve been hanging around here since 2007 and MN has helped me in so many ways — bf twins, parenting at every stage, countless life hacks, style tips, financial advice, emotional support, much-needed relationship advice (LTB), rl friendships and more recently, finally giving me the courage to leave my hideously abusive marriage (yay!) and be a terrible, nasty, free/thinking radicalised Woman.

From chicken bricks to tangle teasers, from chutneys and heated airers and dehumidifiers to mooncups, the oil cleansing and curly girl methods to the Mumsnet haircut, all via Why Does He Do That? Women’s Aid and the Freedom Project, plus all the witty, informed and interesting debate and diversion over the years, it has genuinely changed my life and positively impacted me for the better.

Thanks Mumsnet and Mumsnetters. You’ve made my world a better place.

Must be getting sentimental in my old age.

Yes. Joined in 2006, when I had dd1. I stayed with the same name for 14 years, until I deregistered at the beginning of Lockdown, when it just felt too grim on here, and I felt it was dragging me down.
I rejoined for something on the FWR boards, and still think of myself by my old name...which is confusing!

I have met some fantastic, funny, sharp, wise and kind people here, online and in rl...Wankers and Woolly Huggers, FWR wise women and Honking Geese and people to hold a hand on the Rocky Road to Diagnosis on the SN Boards.
Mumsnet has been like the best pub or coffee shop where you know your going to find someone to put up with your whinging, tell you which is the best camping kettle, help you write an EHCP, keep you company at 3am or make you laugh like an idiot.

Even if I slope off again, I'm sure I'll be back, if only to answer the bat signal of a parent+child parking or disabled toilet thread.

I'm a feminist thanks to mumsnet
Also a nicer, more tolerant person who realises some of the advantages I've had in life

These are lovely posts. I've been here for 16 years now and love the site. I don't think it's had a huge influence on my life or changed me personally but I'm grateful for much of the advice and certainly for the laughs. 😊

Yeah.
I have been exposed to some really interesting perspectives and insight on here I wouldn't have seen otherwise. Made me think more critically about things.
I love that whatever the topic, (no matter how random or niche) there will be women on here who can write beautiful, eloquent, informed posts.
And the humour!

Nice thread op. Love a bit of mumsnet.

Yes, my critical thinking skills have been massively improved by my time on here. I also enjoy the batshittery from time to time.

I'm sure this thread will end up on Twitter so 'hiiiiiiiiiii'!!! 👋

Yes. 10 years here too.

Started off getting bf help from lovely people.

Read about so many topics I would have had no idea about otherwise. I think about situations from viewpoints I'd embarrassingly have had no idea about.

Now learning even more from the FWR board the last few years.

Awesome bunch of women. :)

I agree OP. I love it here and it drives me mad sometimes but I feel like part of the furniture now. MNers can be so amazing in so many ways. I have learnt so much from the women on here that’s helped me and things I’ve used to help people around me. cheers everyone!

I agree OP. I used to think MN would be full of slightly pathetic, gossipy women who had no lives. How wrong I was. After having my first child, I'd find my way here via an internet search on a particular subject, and gradually realised that Mumsnet is full of witty, intelligent and supportive women.

I have learnt so much here about relationships, parenting, feminism, bereavement, finances, cooking, choosing clothes and many other things. I feel more educated about other women's experiences, and have enjoyed some very entertaining threads too. I find it highly addictive but I feel it adds so much more to my life than other social media sites would.

Thank you fellow Mumsnetters, I am proud to be here with you all

Yep, I wouldn't have known women's aid existed without mumsnet. I wouldn't have left my ex so quickly without mumsnet and could have ended up hurt or worse. I potentially owe mumsnet my life.

I found Mumsnet around 2009, and procrastinated / found support here through babies+degree. Wandered off into the wilderness for a few years thinning I could use my time more wisely
Then came back on a whim about a year ago and felt like I'd come home and I can't see myself leaving for a while. It's people watching and feeling like you are part of a supportive bunch who can deliver advice in a heady mix of usefully brutal honesty and wide guidance. I don't think I've ever read a thread where a few, or many haven't made me think in a way I wouldn't alone. Cheers ears.

Mumsnet has saved me from a few daft decisions since I joined. A few kicks up my backside and off I went on the right track. I do sometimes wonder how unbearable motherhood would have been without Mumsnet.

Yep I've been here since 2008/9ish and have definitely grown and changed because of Mumsnet.

Mostly, I try to always take extra time for critical thinking before I make big decisions, and I definitely take a lot less shit!

@AnneLovesGilbert Please could you give me the daal recipe?

Yep, me too .

I’ve certainly learned that I don’t need to tolerate fuckwittery , and whilst I’ve also sometimes had advice I haven’t always wanted , it’s usually the same advice that I’ve needed . I can’t think of anywhere else I’d go .

Just learnt how to fold my fitted sheets too, thanks @SisyphusAndTheRockOfUntidiness

Yes: my world has been enlarged because of Mumsnet

Feminist boards - finding people who could articulate my views on big issues.

Divergent thought and getting different views on genuine things I have gone through.

Interesting conversation from the light hearted to the serious to the spooky.

Babiliss Big Hair is still my Best Buy that I use everyday for salon blow dried hair!

Employment advice, health advice, spiritual advice, baby and child rearing advice and lots of people agreeing with me that my DH was BU!!

I have visited almost every day since 2010 and I would be so isolated without it.

I agree. I've been here nearly 9 years, had so much support, lots of laughs and learned so much. It's my favourite place on the internet.

Lovely post OP. I stumbled on here when I was looking for advice on our house refurb. In addition the site has helped me articulate my feminist values, help me understand my upbringing and on a lighter note helped with gardening advice, make up and style and some brilliantly funny threads

Mumsnet is love and knuckles, we used to say.

Nice thread OP.

Here it is @HollowTalk

www.tinnedtomatoes.com/2013/10/spinach-and-coconut-dal.html?m=1

I use frozen spinach, add a tsp garlic granules and no coriander. Make it all the time.

What a lovely thread 😍 Mumsnet is always my first port of call for advice on navigating all aspects of life!!

I have to ask what a chicken brick is though?🤔

I like that MN is a womans space on the internet.

Been here since 2001, and someone told me once that I've got one of the longest standing user names (I have name changed from time to time but always come back to this one).

I've learnt so much, laughed so much and become so much more aware of many important issues because of Mumsnet. My dds are now 21 & 23 and they use the site now too (mostly lurking as far as I know, but they both have posted for advice when they were younger). Our first port of call for advice and / or opinions is always Mumsnet. It's an invaluable resource and source of much laughter as well.

I don't think I'll ever leave. Thank you Mumsnet.

I cannot explain the impact on my life of mumsnet- it's been so huge! I've had the absolute privilege of being introduced to some amazing women who have become really close and supportive friends. Over ten years of treasured relationships which have kept me laughing, informed, looked after...it has reintroduced me to femininism, and the simple pleasures of being surrounded by positive and uplifting female energy. Thank you, Mumsnet.