To think MN is fucking lovely, actually (NOT just thread-about-thread)

[LoudRowdyDuck]

I know there's a whiny thread too, but I've been meaning to post this for ages. So:

I think MN is lovely.

I've been on here about a year (and namechanged about a month ago). People on here constantly give good advice, cheer me up, walk me through all the stuff I don't know how to tackle and distract me from all the stuff I don't want to tackle. People are intelligent and funny and frequently make me cackle like a demented crone.

It is excellent.

DH refers to MN as 'the hive mind' for the number of times I've posted a bizarre query and had dozens of solutions posted back in minutes.

So, it's nearly Christmas (don't flame me for saying so!), and I want to say thank you all.*

• You bunch of cunts. There, I knew you needed some proper MN tough love in there!

And cower I do, elephants. Mostly because I imagine that's what ducks do when elephants are around.

I do think MN is very feminist, despite the occasional bitchiness. It's very supportive of women.

Ooh - does Mummy Pig MN then?

Disclaimer: no kids, never seen it. But I got the Peppa Pig reference.

One of the more dubious benefits of MN.

Yes, I will have to be a lot less honest about my computer use ABird .

Another one who has really benefited from MN. I know that I can come on here at 3am in a real state and be calmed down by some really caring, lovely people, who also offer great advice.

I figure it's their loss whenever someone comes on here to moan about how bitchy it is. And to be honest, it's a much nicer forum than most I've been on. And it does it without needing heavy handed modding.

yes, and the most overwhelming thing on here really is the total stamping on that judginess gets. You'd never get a newspaper-comments-thread style festival of bigotry on here without a LOT of people being told to FTFOAWYGTFTFOSM.

I have had terrible worries about one of my DCs and here is the place I had advice and reassurance.

It has educated me about other women's lives - especially about emotional abuse and domestic violence. Also adultery. I now know where I'd start if these situations arose in my life or the lives of my friends.

I have met many people who have made me snort with laughter.

I've been able to give advice to people going through some of the parenting issues I've experienced.

I like MN

It's also challenged my assumptions about things.

Hmm, I am not sure it is 'lovely' just as 'horrible' was not quite the appropriate word on the other thread.

You make some very good points though and I do agree it is very informative and FULL of ridiculously funny people and some very kind people too.

I have made some great friends from here too for which I am eternally grateful.

Usually for me I think it is just the right balance
Yes there are the narrow-minded, judgey posts and the like but if you don't take them seriously then most of the rest of it is a really great thing.

Damn.............'really great thing' is no better than 'lovely' really is it! As you were

Well, ok, I think it is lovely!

We'll agree to differ on semantics.

I really enjoy the fact it's not all fluffy though - I was on a wedding forum around the same time I joined MN and it was like walking through candyfloss reading posts, but actually they were incredibly nasty to people too, in the most immature, craply anti-feminist way ... MN was a real breath of fresh air.

it is lovely

we are all fabulous

It's wonderful. It has proved invaluable in crises and is always entertaining. Sometimes it infuriates but I wouldn't give it up for anything.

yeah s'alright.

I think MN is great! I have learned loads of stuff on here (currently have bag of catlitter in my car in case get stuck in snow again, and have been religiously clearing snow from roof of same car since being told I needed to on here!)

I think reading other people'd opinions on here has made me a bit more open-minded in general eg. i used to get upset that MIL didn't want to come and stay for my big Family Christmas. Why would she not want to be part of it and see the kids at such a special time of year? I'm now realising that I was being a bit of a Christmaszilla . had a lightbulb moment after reading lots of different threads about christmas where I realised that- shock, horror, not everyone wants to do Christmas my way And that it's ok for my MIL not to take part and good for her for having the guts to refuse to get dragged in- why shouldn't she have a nice quiet Christmas if that's what she wants?

I've also found it invaluable for quick advice- "which hoover?" "how can I fix my ipod?"

But most of all I like the humour and intelligence, and the no-nonsense approach.

I don't know I'd call it "lovely"- that sounds a wee bit woossy for us lot! But it's definitely fab

bugger, should be 'sallright

sorry Pedants, for making your eyes bleed.

Yes, I know there are some very worthy, supportive, helpful, clever types but mostly I just find loads of you bloody hilarious. It's better than telly. Plus, unlike the telly, it talks back to me. Result.

I did say 'fucking lovely', jooley ... does that not let me off a little?

... and 'bloody hilarious' works too!

I was ill last week and spent about two days in bed with honey and lemon to sooth the shrieking cackles generated by AIBU. Good times.

Almost like, SGM. Almost like.

I think the brains and stuff is what I appreciate most.

I'm pretty new to MN and have to say it's been great so far - I've just started potty training and have no previous experience of it, so it's been great to read the threads and get everyone's tips. Oh, and I was also inspired to buy a slow cooker!! I do think that generally mums want to help other mums - or is that just me being a naive fool?

Anyways, that's just me

I am glad you posted this op because I've wanted to say something similar - particularly to all the experts on various threads (Tiktok on breasfteeding springs to mind) who answer the same old questions again and again, are always there to support people, never get wound up despite being baited: such patience and general all round good eggness.

It is a damn fine place, for sure. I had my hand thoroughly held when I first joined and was in a low way struggling with my first baby. To the extent that I honestly reckon it kept me out of PND territory. And the humour is superb - the peace of many a long night feed has been shattered because I've stupidly started reading a thread in Classics and been rendered helpless with mirth as a result. I've tempered myself a lot as a because of things I've learned here. And I consider myself educated on all sorts of things to which I was previously oblivious or ignorant. DP refers to MN as "the oracles".

I love mn! It's helping me through a tough time at the mo. Xx

lola - no, I don't think you're naive. But I think there are lots of websites that, for whatever reason, show the worst side of people ... consistently! MN only does about 5% of the time, and it's pretty diluted.

Exactly unruly - I am very grateful to, among others, GerOrf who was very patient and helped me get a handle on my relationship with my mother. It's amazing to talk to people who really know their stuff and still have time to share experiences on a free website.

sticker - 'the oracles' is great. I wish MN would bring out a book on 'DH/DPs: What They Think of Mumsnet'. It could go alongside the MN Baby book.