To wonder why someone who isn't a parent would want to use Mumsnet?

[create]

I'm not saying I mind, or that they shouldn't, I just wonder why?

I get it if they're about to become a parent or TTC, but there do seem to be a few who post along the lines of I don't have DC, but..... Why is this site of interest to them?

Welcome to the Mumsnet California......

Such a lovely place

It's interesting reading sometimes for those of us wondering whether or not we want children! Both the pregnancy/childbirth side and the parenting discussions.

Also lots of interesting stuff about dogs, books, TV, gardening, camping, feminism, politics etc. Not to mention a good bun-fight on AIBU now and then.

Sorry ENP, ahem .. Mwahhahahahahahaaaa.

Abs 4.3% ? Interesting. Where didya get yer stats? Are they scientifical?

Glackley - I wasn't replying to you, I was replying to the poster I quoted.

And I think I was agreeing with you too ...

I don't care for the blanket term 'child free' either, not just because it's twee but because these threads invariably upset people who are TTC or have lost children. I'm neither of those so this isn't me whining, but I do wish people would think for 10 seconds or so before they post something with a title like that.

Cross-post -

Foofy. Highly scientific. I thought "do I see many threads on parenting? Nope. 4.3% sounds about right" and then looked at the "cormorants are scary" thread and got freaked out.

I have 3 kids and I find other parents annoying

LRD - I purposely didn't use "child free" in the title

And I didn't say they shouldn't be here, I just wondered why they wanted to be....and now I know

ha these threads always go the same way

someone always takes the op completely the wrong way then flounces

"I'm not saying I mind...".... er, thanks for your permission?!

Maybe it's because only a fraction of the subjects here are about actual parenting? There's more than kid-talk on here!

MN is so big now it has it's own gravitational field, it sucks in anyone who comes close and they have to struggle to free themselves. Or stay forever.... (or till they flounce, but even that doesn't always let them reach escape velocity)

Ha sunbear!

Disclaimer: I was being sarky in my first post, btw!

create - I see you didn't use the term 'child-free'. But you did write a title that was a bit thoughtless. I know it's crappy to say 'oh, this thread has been done' and I get that it was just an innocent question. But there are posters on here who are not parents but are very sad they're not - I just think the title is a bit painful in that context.

I used 'child free' because a) it sounds horrible and b) its less offensive than 'childless' - or so I thought..

I know that LRD, which is actually one of the things that made me think why? Why would you torture yourself by hanging out on a parenting forum in that very sad situation?

Just counted. 19/50 threads on my active convos are vaguely or strongly child-or-parenting-related. And I have a few of the non-child topics hidden. So that's 38% parenting discussion, and 62% non-parenting discussion.

Create, but by extension you would also surely need to avoid walking down the street to avoid seeing pregnant women and/or babies and children?

Sometimes facing the situation with other people in a similar position can make it easier.

Swearing + intelligent conversation = MN. A rare thing of beauty.

I'm a parent, and don't really read anything about kids/parenting. I tend to stick to relationships and chat. I recommend this place to lots of people, be they chicken keepers or seeking legal advice with or without kids. Some people who do come here, that do not have children may seek advice re a relative.

I've been lurking for 5 years and posting for just over one year and have only just started TTC this year.

I like it because it is (mostly!) full of intelligent funny women, a good percentage of which share common interests (books, cooking, travel, telly, fashion, the world at large). There are other women-oriented forums but they tend to be a bit fluffy for me.

I am a member of another forum which is much more male dominated and while I like it for other reasons (particularly with life and financial planning in a really thoughtful and intelligent way), it doesn't feel as friendly or as funny as here. This feels like what is called the "kitchen mafia" in my family - all the women of all ages in the kitchen, having a good old gossip and giggle and bitch and sharing their lives. I don't think I need to be a mother to appreciate that. And hopefully if and when I am, it'll give me a bit of a head start and make me a bit less naive.