How have MN threads changed over the years…?

[Conniebygaslight]

Despite being a mum of 4 young adult children I only stumbled MN last year when I typed a rather desperate question into Google. I work with young people and I’ve noticed a huge change in their issues over the years so I wondered what the original MNetters have noticed as a change in threads and responses about anything by anyone…is there a noticeable shift in attitudes?

MN has been amazing for me too. Nobody IRL as such but god when I got divorced I had support from two amazing women who really really helped me (it was horrendous). I used to get private messages now and then from them and they meant a lot.

I've gone from the pregnancy board to parenting to relationships and bereavement. The whole flipping life cycle. I'm grateful to a lot of good MNs out there.

I’ve been around for over a decade now and agree with all of this!

I’d add - thread deletions, especially upon request because it wasn’t going the way the op wanted, were rare to non-existent.

God a thread deletion was an event !!

You’d be like ‘so sorry I’ve accidentally posted my face and DOB and home address and my credit card PIN pls can you delete? And MN HQ would be ‘nahhh no one’s reading your thread anyway’ 😂

I’ve been on MN for a long time. It’s lost its charm, it’s intimacy and its intelligence. Posters now are scared of their own shadow, can’t make a decision to save their lives without making a post about it (and it’s usually something utterly banal) and I frequently wonder how they cope in the real world. Mind you most seem to be in relationships with utter fuckwits which might explain a lot…

I used to actually LOL (for real!) at some posts. Some had me in literal fits of laughter, but I can’t remember the last time I read a thread that make me even snigger.

It’s a shame - as a single parent I have a lot of time on my own and used to waste it on MN. It was like having your mate in the room whilst you drank wine and took the piss out of each other whilst discussing utter nonsense. Now it’s like listening to people trying to catch the others out - most could start an argument in an empty room.

< Waves 👋 @SodOffbacktoaibu and does a little twirl 💃. Let's go and cause mayhem on the baby names board 😂 >>>> 👶

Yes, me too! Kids in bed, glass of wine and Mumsnet. It was like going out. Then everyone would say goodnight to each other. It was fucking great. 🍷

Agree with all of this,it's a very humourless place now imo.

I'm in

Also...what happened to the MN emojis. This one looks like a Nazi flag. That definitely wasn't there when I last looked

There were less members so one would really get to know people. The made up threads were funny, light hearted and clever. We had secret Santa and posters really seemed to care for one another. I was having a tough time and was sent flowers and a lot of chocolate. No idea how they got my address or paid for them. Still grateful today.

However, I also was picked at/on quite badly and they nearly caused what they would have said they were trying to avoid.

I still think about some posters and wonder how they are getting on. There was less name changing then.

Omg yes, secret Santa!!

I've been here about 11 years.

Back in the old days not every thread could be twisted to be about the evils of trans people. Simpler times.

People weren't wanging on about gender woo at all 11 years ago.

I just spent a trip down memory lane. MN classics skip to page 35 to find vintage MN.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mumsnet_classics/1065864-sanjunujnjjndjhijhj?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

This utter nonsense is what entertained my tired pregnant brain. Simpler times. Sigh.

The nazi flag emoji is actually The Bull pub sign from the Archers threads

😂 Thanks 👍🏻

So MN is a bit more right wing but hasn't quite jumped the shark yet 🤔🤣

It was much funnier back in the day. And more insulting without people getting banned. So, just a bit more straightforward and honest.

I hate <lighthearted> in a thread title, like the terminally offended will complain at the slightest thing. Its boring.

There's more hatred now. More anger, less tolerance. Less wit and less compassion.

I guess its just a reflection on what society is like.

For some reason (lighthearted) didn't appear in my post.....

I think chatgbt or whatever its called, is messing this place up too. There's so many long winded frankly fucking stupid opening posts and you just think oh come on. But you cant say that as you get banned for troll hunting. So the ridiculous threads go on and on and on. And its shite.

15 years ago I would also plan my Friday night to involve a glass of something and MN on the laptop. It felt like more of a community. I had several MNers who became RL friends, I just don't think that would happen now.

Like a PP said, it felt like spending Friday night having a drink and a laugh with your mates.

Not nearly as much humour as there once was. Heaven forbid you post a tongue in cheek post without someone bursting into tears because they’ve taken it seriously

Ive been on MN for almost 17 years. It seemed to be a much more intimate site than it is now. Lots of brilliant clever people.

Also, lots of mean girls too. Certain posters always in the middle of some pot stirring threads. We referred to these people as " MN Royalty"

There was a lot more fan girling back then,some posters sucked up to the main popular posters.

It could be a bit cliquey at times.

I don't miss that bit.

Oh god it's totally changed over the last ten year

More threads on neurodiversity
People being bitchier
More trigger warnings
More threads that are anxious i.e. should I open the door, etc

The sense of humor definitely isn't as good

Dare I say, the Huns, Hubbies, and Bubs were on Netmums.

I've been here for donkeys and agree with most of the above. I pick and choose what I engage with. I think it is still an incredibly supportive place - you can ask any question and someone knowledgeable will answer. When my dm was terminally ill a couple of years ago I got really helpful responses to questions I had about navigating the NHS (I'm no longer in the UK). I also found really helpful info here about inheritance tax. I always used to look here when I was booking a family holiday - so much experience to tap into.

So yeah the experience of mumsnet has definitely changed, but it's still my go to incredible resource.

Yes, I feel like mumsnet has seen me through my adult life cycle, was on the pregnancy board then over to the bereavement board sadly when my mum died. I agree it’s very supportive…. If you avoid aibu and the meaningless posts about minor conflicts.