Why are you on MN, and how did you get here?

[StuntAcorn]

I can't remember exactly but I think it was googling intermittent fasting and reading the posts on here for inspiration.
Now it's become a regular port of call when I need some inspiration for holidays or what to have for dinner! 😅

When I fell pregnant first time, I had a million questions. Which led me to Mumsnet. Not left since - became quite hooked 😂

when I was TTC 14 years ago! I got pregnant with both my children on my first cycle but I came on here before starting to work out how to get pregnant. I mean it’s bonkers tbh I bought ovulation strips and of course they worked. In hindsight I’ve just realised I never got to the bottom of why I just didn’t DTD instead of looking on here.

I came from another (now defunct) parenting site which was constantly crashing (it was also pretty toxic) when my youngest was a baby. Said baby is now 22!

@StuntAcorn they didn't like my personality. I'm a bit of a dick.

telling members to go away, joining in on the derailing of a thread, discussing things said in other threads, suggesting a member may be on drugs and not able to tell the truth, and telling members to "get over themselves"

I've been on MN since 2016.

15 years for me , was recommended to me when i was looking for prams .. Feels like yesterday 😢

You bloody legend 😂
So you're a wrong 'un.
I like that!
(Pray tell - was it NM or BC? 😉)

I came from Baby Greenhouse and one of the wedding forums before that. Been here over 20 years under various names and although it’s changed a lot I’ve had some fantastic advice/support, learnt loads and had plenty of laughs.

@StuntAcorn NM. I also kept trying to bypass their swear filter. I would've been happier with a ban for that, because .. fair enough.

I found the Feminism and women's rights board when I was trying to find out why Nichola Sturgeon thought men could be women and male rapists could therefore be put in female prisons if they identify as women. Mumsnet is one of the few places where this can be discussed.

Was on bounty forum when pregnant with dd now 16 and adverts kept coming up for here.
I stay because it's sometimes fascinating like a car crash, occasionally supportive and very addictive.

Came for the recipes when I was 19 and trying to inject some joy into my life while at my call center job. Got perplexed by all the half-titles starting with ‘to’ [AIBU threads], simply had to know what all the acronyms mean and now all of a sudden I’m 34 😵‍💫

2000 when it was brand new and only had a few people on it! Third child was 8 or 9 and was a food refuser from 8 months - now called Arfid - I was going mad with worry, found mumsnet by I ternet search.
That child is now 33 and has thrived but still has a few food issues.
I've dipped in and out , especially to update myself on current baby ( grandchildren ) practices.
Posted a few times on Education threads as an infant teacher, but left that forum due to rudeness on the phonics threads!
Have learned lots of useful tips etc
Including how to be a good mother in law!

"Swear filter"

Thanks for sharing, that's made me genuinely lol 😂

No kids, I found it googling step parent advice. It was invaluable! 15 years ago probably.....I still pop into step parenting board to give succour and say it gets better.

You’ve sent me down a nostalgic rabbit hole of exploring previous usernames and the kinds of posts I was responding to over the years. Which surprised me as my posting history isn’t as far back as I thought but I think I was a lurker for the first couple of years. It was similar to others - began with pregnancy and babies and branched into feminism and so many other things.

In the main, I find it a thoroughly fascinating insight into the way other people think, it’s such an eye opener. I think often it’s easy to assume that people are broadly on the same page until you learn that there are people who think you are completely disgusting if you don’t change your bedspread weekly, wear jammies without pants, use a toilet brush, as infinitum. It’s fascinating. One of the old threads I just looked at was one about whether it’s ok for young kids to walk on other peoples garden walls. I genuinely never realised anyone could have a problem with this and select my walls more carefully since then!

I originally joined BabyCentre in 2002 when pregnant with ds, was quite active on his birth month board.
Joined MN in 2003 looking for advice on a rear-facing pushchair.
Posted regularly from 2006.

10 years next February. I was in hospital with a relatively rare neurological condition and googled about it. MN came up and I was hooked.
A lady started a thread on here about her builder husband going missing near me (South Wales) and sadly his body was found soon afterwards followed by lots of issues with his family towards her. I became far too invested!!

"The great drama of 2006 around she who must not be named."

@Piffpaffpoff another one with a back story!
What and who please?

I came onto Mumsnet when there was a passport crisis (when Theresa May was Home Secretary) and I stumbled across it on Google. So I made an account to talk to people and I’ve been here ever since!

I started lurking in 2013 when some MN drama made the news and I was curious.

Stayed for the feminism and TV recommendations.

@Elderberrier
I find it a thoroughly fascinating insight into the way other people think, it’s such an eye opener. I think often it’s easy to assume that people are broadly on the same page

This! This is exactly why it appeals to me.
I'm a people watcher by nature (travel a lot so always at airports and train stations, which also gives me ample time to indulge in both MN and people watching).

Thanks for sharing everyone, it's a nice read 🙂

I’m doing some research to try and work out the precise reason I joined in 2013, and penis beaker keeps coming up. But it can’t be that surely, because whatever it was, was being discussed on the Jeremy Vine show at midday on radio 2…

also I think I’m better than that for some reason

I was on the Bounty forum (not sure it exists anymore) when I was pregnant and had DS 15 years ago. When the babies turned 1 it got really quiet and I migrated over here and stayed and stayed 😂. I am still in touch with some of the Bounty ladies on FB and one of their daughters works in the pub at the end of my road, what a coincidence!

I've been on here 21 years and I had an iMac laptop the orange bubble type and late on night googled something about my pregnancy, came across a thread and here I am. I've always been a name-changer but regonise a few old timers that pop up on threads.

I did make a rookie error once and asked about the point of inset days and how bloody annoying they are for parents - never again.

I've be been on and off for 2 decades and the longest break was about 5 years where i just forgot about mumsnet but as soon as social media became a thing and iPhones I've been back on and read it pretty much daily.

I do occasionally have breaks and during covid it was a bit manic on here so I deleted the app for a while.

But it's been the most amazing support network with tons of knowledge and laughs.

@TheMarzipanDildo

also I think I’m better than that for some reason

Really?? With a username like that?! 😂

I like your dedication to the cause, please come back and tell us the results of your research even though we already know it's definitely the penis beaker thread