to ask why people with no children and not ttc come on MN

[AuntiePickleBottom]

i hope that don't sound nasty, just generally curious

Oh sorry garlic, I just find the restrictions in moderated forums absurd. You know, can't post here, it's the wrong area, any kind of off topic posts get moved, similar threads are merged and what not. It's all very dull and you get the long time posters who think they are moderators.

Ooh, I'm an ex-Handbagger, too! God, that was years ago. It was pretty good, imo - I've often thought I recognised some posters here from the pink old days

Was anyone else on tmo?

No worries, Vienetta

you get the long time posters who think they are moderators
... on EVERY forum, present company not excepted!!

thanks swanker just had some more tramadol love it!

My personal reasons:

1. Because there's a lot of wisdom and fun in the "Relationships" and "AIBU" threads

2. Because, having chosen a life without my own children, I find it fascinating to read about the lives of parents. They really are utterly different, with different priorities, fears, worries, emotions and adventure. They are not better or worse, but definitely interesting.

3. Because some threads, especially the "Teenagers" one, remind me why I chose not to become a parent and reaffirm my decision ;).

4. because I love debating, and there are few other forums with as many intelligent people from all stages of life participating at the same time. The speed at which you can get answers here is amazing, any time of day or night.

5. Because I believe variety makes life more interesting. What would you mothers do without a peek into a different world from time to time? :)

6. Directly related to 5: Because I can offer different points of view and unbiased opinions sometimes. Having your own children sometimes blinds you against the obvious, or makes particular problems seem insurmountable. I have been told more than by a particular poster that she had never seen a problem from my perspective. It helps people think outside of the square. Not everything in life is child-related, but it may seem like that when you have your own kids, especially when they are young.

I think that's basically it...

A1980, the responses on this thread are testament to the fact that MN is all-inclusive. Of course you belong as much as anyone else. I truly hope you can see that, and don't leave. I genuinely think the OP only meant "I wonder what these posters like about MN", not "what are they doing here, off they fuck!". So really, don't let it ruin something you clearly enjoy.

This is my first post - I mostly lurk because it is interesting but I don't want to offer advice on children when I don't have any. I work with children and am interested in people and it is generally an interesting forum to read. Also I do want to have babies - we just have to wait a bit yet before trying - and I tell myself it will be useful to be informed, but mostly it's just because it's addictive.

Because I like to hear what other people, particularly other women think about lots of things.

Because my friends have children, have been TTC, have had problems with sleep, feeding etc. and I want to be a good friend and understand what they are going through.

Because I am a lunatic planner, and know I'll want children one day, so why not get learning now!

I tend to restrict myself to AIBU, Chat, News, Politics, rather than 'child rearing' type threads at the moment, but being an obsessive planner, the very moment DH and I agree to start TTC I'll be all over them!

I have got DCs, but I always think it is odd when people post and then want to question why other people should be posting- as if you have to have a certain set of conditions to have an opinion.
I think it is great to have different experiences and ideas, lots of mothers take themselves way too seriously, different perspectives can only be good.
I have been on gransnet and I haven't a grandchild -but it isn't half as much fun!

Because I'm quite lonely and bored and it's interesting here. Lots of talking, lots of women, hurrah. I hang out in fandom too, another source of clever talky women, but too many Americans (I find myself thinking in American).

Because I work with people with learning difficulties, have been through a metric fuckload of expensive training, and though it might be nice to share that with parents who get none!

A1980, don't leave

I'm voting for "Off you fuck, Cuntychops" for Conservative party motto next time they spend a squillion quid on rebranding

I hate threads like this.

The people/men/women/mothers/fathers/aunties/uncles/grandmas/godmothers/sisters/daughters who are here make it a more fun/lively/intelligent/amusing place.

Who cares why they're here?

Excellent, purplepidjin.

That's what they meant to say last time, but it probably got watered down by a committee.

Agree Blatherskite, it might be just a question borne of curiosity, but it always has a tang somehow of 'yes, but why, really?'

A1980... I've read and enjoyed many of your posts!

I popped over years ago when a thread in the TES said "look what they're saying about us on mumsnet". It was, as you can imagine the usual discontent when teachers aren't being childminders.

I stayed for AIBU, had a larf, and like the fact you can say fuck, without being pompously censored. This sounds very shallow, I know, but you know what, I don't give a%$£@:o

I hardly use mums net for parenting advice. I came here years ago when dd was a baby and a decade later am still here. I'm kind of past the mum and child stage but like all the other stuff. I really think that parenting topics are a very small section of mums net.

I don't have kids or even a DP. I work in education so am interested in children but I also find the calibre of conversation here to be of a higher standard than many sites. I ignore all the "boring" threads about bugaboos (whatever the fuck they are) and weaning but the rest of it is great.

I came on originally to have a look because someone told me you were here and my friend was having her first so I wanted to ask a couple of questions - I got sucked in!

I'm not ttc but broody and would love children. It is so nice to be able to post here and feel that people understand. I really appreciate getting loads of good advice and learning what I might do/not do as a mum. Before I came on here I was quite nervous, thought I might be a bad mum or it might be impossible to manage, but it is very reassuring being here. I agree with cumbria that the conversation here is streets ahead of anywhere else I've come across (not that I did much looking, I admit, but I'm happy here).

For me the perfect balance of MN is summed up by the fact that text speak is frowned upon, but so is attacking someone's typing or spelling and grammar; swearing is embraced but racist/sexist/disablist (is that a word?) insults are immediately jumped on or reported.

I had a look when there was a fuss about Gordon Brown's favourite biscuit, and got hooked on AIBU.

I'm an Aunty and a Godmother, and lots of my friends have kids; it's useful to have a bit of insight into their experience so that I don't ask too many stupid questions.

We're hoping to TTC before too much longer, and it's helpful to have some idea of what we'll be getting into.

It makes me laugh, makes me think, and passes far too much time when work's quiet.

Very interesting to see all the different reasons for being on here, it was a good question well asked, thanks Auntie. However, something else that intrigues me, why do people post on here who despise children? Or are they no different from people who just choose to despise any particular section of society?

Hmm me thinks this thread should be heading for Classics :-)

I don't think that anyone despises DCs do they?
I like to challenge ideas.In RL you come across very strange parents with very strange ideas and you can't really comment.
On here you can tell a person that they are over controlling, over protective, you think Ivy a vile name, it is kind to let an old lady touch their baby,you don't want to take your shoes off in someone's house and that anyone can and will tell their DC off if they want to etc etc etc.
I doubt whether it makes any difference, but at least it makes them realise that there are other views.

I joined when I started nannying and found that NJ wasn't as active. Stayed on whilst I've done other jobs and found it a godsend when looking for nannying work again last month! Lots of good advice from nannies and parents :)

exoticfruits I really do think some people on here despise children and use it as a forum to air that view.