to think that not every man on mumsnet must be "dodgy"

[OpinionSeeker]

A thread on mums net to settle an argument about mumsnet...
DH thinks that if a man is on mumsnet then he must have an ulterior motive, to chat up 'mums' - he wants me to add that he thinks they must be devious. I think, perhaps naively that there are probably some genuine male parents, aka dads, wishing to discuss parenting issues. DH believes men should be on dadsnet.
Genuinely looking for opinions.

I know you're not ry hence my ironic never mind

yes denim skirts < sharp intake of breath >

My DH standard answer to "Does my bum look big in this" is "You look fab in everything dear"

"Does my hair look ok" DH response "I love your hair"

If he was to go on S&B it would turn in to "I think this designer would suit you better, but that looks good too" and "Come here let me try, give me the big hair thingy, you do it like this"

Gin - talking about real life for a moment - there are men with whom I would never dream of dicsussing periods etc. It would be like watching a sex scene with yer nan.

And there are men with whom it's totally natural. And it's the same with women.

I am always happy to discuss such things with people who have a genuine interest and an informed opinion. Male or female makes no odds.

How can we hope for equality if we treat these things like dirty little secrets.

Of course, if someone male or female decided to share opinions that were utter horseshit, I would let them know. Like AF and the sheds.com thing.

Seems odd to ask for understanding whilst being unwilling to share thoughts and feelings.

Sorry, that went a bit ranty.

What I mean is, short of someone saying 'pff, childbirth, piece of piss you bunch of ninnies' I really don't mind who says what about what.

Just my opinion.

I'd like to be better informed about the menopause - not just the physical side of what changes but mentally too - how does that affect a woman so I know how better to support my DW. I'm not directly going to have that change, just as I have never given birth but it doesn't stop us learning about it and being more empathetic.

Zactly.

Bloody hell when ds2 was born dp was the one who showed me how to bf ( latch baby on etc) his ex had bf I never had.

If you have an opinion or useful advice on a subject you should be able to voice it whatever your gender

I could not answer that question as i have not had menopause yet and i have not bothered reading up on it.

So i hope i'm not alone being the only woman that has no clue about menopause - i just know my mum gets very hot and has the door open alot and you dont have to buy Always anymore, but she was still naggy as hell most of the time.

Dh thinks that every poster on mn is a journalist or from a marketing company. It drives me mad, if I ever mention anything I have read on mumsnet he insists it is made up.

Childbirth is a piece of piss, innit, tweacle? I slept through mine.

Obviously DW was the one giving brith, but you know. etc.

Funny that, she told me she slept through the conception...

Out of interest then rycooler, what do you propose I should tell my 10yo DD when she asks me about periods?

Psammead. Yeah.

Firstly I'd say I think the idea that men know nothing about periods is ridiculous. We might not experience them first hand, but we all know about what they are and how they affect behaviour. My last boss had his female bosses cycle mapped out in his calender so as not to bring up difficult subjects at those times because she'd always start shouting at him.

I think Rycoolers idea that you shouldn't have an opinion on something you haven't experienced first hand is hypocracy given she's posted in...

'If snake assisted wanking is wrong, I don't want to be right.'

Given her conservative nature I'm pretty sure she hasn't indulged in snake wanking but she still has an opinion on it.

I think the thing is that some women aren't as open minded as you Psammead and you can never tell on a forum, some women will be very uncomfortable discussing intimate subjects knowing men are are around. I respect that.

@ Psammead

:o @ Techno and Psammy

You don't have to know everything about the menopause ( for example ) to have empathy - I'm not a brain surgeon but I have empathy for people with headaches - you don't have to know the in's and out's of a ducks arse to have empathy fgs.

But I'm on my own here so I'll shut up and leave you to it.

snort @ Psammy

Well then obviously the same goes for men so why can't they post on whatever they like showing their empathy

I get that, Gin, and I think that's very respectful of you, but in my perfect world scenario I find it a shame, IYSWIM.

Ry, I think some people find it helps with empathy if they know the ins and outs of why something is the way it is. I know it helps me.

WTF is "snake assisted wanking?" Not sure I want to know the answer but...

ok i wana know too - i just cant help it.

It was a thread on here last month, didn't realy get it though

Psammed, were you there?!

I think it's fairly obvious what snake assisted wanking is, surely? Have none of you people used google?

I think rycooler is a man pretending to be a woman.