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.

Actually it's longer. The support I had here during secondary unexplained infertility, the miscarriages that followed and then the success of MNbaby bus 2015 (hey guys!) Which gave us ds. So possibly here 7 years I think.

Just want to add a big up to the dating thread where I lurked for three years getting advice and strength to keep on the soul destroying process of OLD.

I honestly question whether I would have made it through as a lone parent since pregnancy then finding out my DC has SEN without MN. What a ride.

This threads made me a bit emotional, when I take a moment to really consider all the big things MN has helped me through, and yet life moves so fast I'd almost forgotten most.

I’ve had so much help and advice here on every problem I’ve ever struggled with.
I first found this site when I was drowning parenting my very complicated teenage daughter. God, I was so desperate for support.
Intermittently over the years, I turn to mumsnet for the big problems.
Very few people in my life have been able to support me practically and emotionally the way the woman on these boards have.

Thank you all

So heartwarming to read all of these posts.

Agree with PP that mn illuminated me to just how witty, intelligent, wise, resourceful and, well, sorted a collective of women can be, despite what so many societal messages would have us believe. Never underestimate the power of the vipers The wonderful regular male posters who have provided support, wisdom and advice over the years are also on the bus, too.

Er...no.

@Funkypolar

Er...no.

You haven't even watched the sheet folding have you?

Big up Mumsnet 💗💗💗

It’s great that people love Mumsnet but to me it’s just a forum full of passive aggressive people and trolls, especially AIBU.

The pregnancy and conception forums have been helpful for me but I wouldn’t say it’s changed my life. If Mumsnet got taken down tomorrow I wouldn’t miss it.

Big up The women (and some men ☝️)who create the content on this useful and entertaining website
Go us👊, the members and the posters of Mumsnet, when we collaborate we are greater than the sum of our parts

Agree. I’ve been here 12 years now since discovering the pregnancy boards by accident in work. I don’t speak very much a but am entertained and educated by you all almost every day.

I've been here since 2011 and MN has helped me be more outspoken, instead of being a doormat I stand up for myself if I need to. I'd probably be a clone of my MIL by now if it weren't for MN.

Also I only found Mumsnet because a health visitor suggested I join Netmums. When I searched for it on the laptop I couldn't remember if she'd said Netmums or Mumsnet. Thankfully I got it "wrong" and joined Mumsnet instead

2004 here and it’s brought a lot of good things and sometimes a particular way of overthinking that hasn’t been great, but that’s my head. I was just thinking how my enjoyment goes in waves and how much more supportive and intelligent I’m finding it in recent months, after The Hun Years.
I’ve met some lovely people, will always be happy about that. And it’s helped me be less needy about my MIL relationship, and to be extremely realistic with my mother (MN is the only place I’ve ever come across my set of circumstances there). I probably parent with more thought because of threads I’ve read. And the pre-Covid prepping threads were great

I once googled a random question about I don't know what and it was a Mumsnet post I first clicked on. I was hooked!

There were all sorts of interesting things to read and learn about. I started noticing threads on the Relationship board and realised that some of my husband's behaviours were at best not okay and in reality abusive. I started putting up an invisible wall when he tried to bring me down. Things got worse.

I looked at MN when I could but he told me he could see everything I did on the computer so I had to be very careful. I thought about going to the library to use their computer but I knew that if I posted what the answers would be, so I never did.

Over the years, reading threads has had me howling with laughter and weeping with sorrow. There have been times when some posters have been arseholes and I might take a break for a while. But I always come back.

I rarely mentioned MN to my husband, it was my little secret, but he knew. "Do you ever post on Mumsnet?". "Oh no, I couldn't, they're vipers!".

Then when I stood up for myself one day it was "Who told you that? FUCKING MUMSNET??". Well yes, actually, and thank god for them.

We have now been apart for a long time. I have flourished, I have become myself again. Mumsnet has got me through. I really don't know where I'd be without it.

Thank you, vipers

Me too. I found this site completely by accident and have been hooked ever since. Its been a rich source of support and information - I have learned so much about other women's lives and struggles, it's quite honestly been a humbling experience. I think Mumsnet has genuinely made me a kinder person.

So good to read your post @Jux as you were the first Mner who showed me kindness with a supportive post on here when I joined 11 years and many name changes ago Thank you

Invaluable advice on here. So glad I found it ❤️

Since 2004 here.

Aye, it has its ups and downs and it's certainly different to what it was, but I'll forever remember the good bits. And yes, learning a lot. I wouldn't be gender critical if it weren't for MN. I'd be all woolly liberal and live and let live and instead I'm a paraphrased Mrs Weasley saying "not to my fucking daughter you don't"

The days (and nights) when you'd literally be howling with laughter at witty, clever, straight talking, but ultimately kind women. And you could see an interesting thread title without thinking "creative writer aiming for four threads and classics, I'll give that one a swerve".

Yep, I definitely wouldn't be GC if it weren't for MN. At best, I'd be a fence-sitter.

And I'm much better at standing up to DH about his bullshit these days - lack of equal housework, he used to think smacking was ok, his parents' treatment of all of us (including him).

Been searching to find my first post on Mumsnet . I think early 2010, its been part of my life ever since . It has informed me, made me cry ( EarthMotherI'mNot ) , picked me up when I was down , The cancer support thread has been invaluable to me . In the dark small hours there was always someone there to support me .

@ChocAuVin

And thank you for the fitted sheet wizardry!

Oh gosh yes! It really is wizardry!

Strangely I was thinking the same earlier. I'm single and childless and have only been here since 2016/2017 but I've learned a lot, it's shaped part of my personality and given me relationship advice that I've passed on to other people.

Oh, and not to forget the wonderful friends I've made. There was one thread that segued into a group chat, and some of us are still friends today!

Yep loads of great advice and so many absolutely hilarious women who make me laugh