To not really understand why people without kids use sites like this?

[999HELPMYPUDDINGSONFIRE]

Obviously this doesn't apply to people trying to conceive or those going through te adoption process.

Don't we have this once a month or so?!

I am a nanny, but I joined when I was 18 because it looked like an interesting forum where I could post about anything and not get abuse for doing so. I also got advice on many topics and find people here more intellectual than my peers.

YABU clearly very unimaginative.

Perhaps you are looking at a different website to me? The one you are looking at must be very dull if it has nothing to offer people without children.

Right now in Active Conversations people are talking about a large number of non-child-related issues:
homophobia in the workplace
dating websites
skincare
dinner guest etiquette (more than one)
property listings
wedding decorations
housework tips
NYE parties (more than one)
the end of the world
book recommendations
how long clothes last
issues with inlaws
pyjamas
washing up
trivial arguments with partners
tooth whitening
buying beds
furniture
more relationship issues
agas
tax returns
slow cookers
celebrity divorces
bereavement and how it affects "happy" times of the year

Why would you think that any of those are only of interest to people with children?

Because without the precious gift of children in our lives, we have nothing to fill the gaping void that remains. So we Childless Ones frequent this site to a) Fill the hours of pointlessness and b) hope that we can, one day live up to the joyful and fulfilling dream that the OP is clearly living!

But seriously.....stupid question.

I used to wonder/think this, not any more. Some bits of the site like politics/news/feminism/aibu are suitable for all but I would be a bit miffed if I posted in parenting then had a non parent giving advice. Same goes for men, actually.

because thankfully most of the threads are not child related would be very boring if it was

so may have a look as mn is mentioned so often in teh media and think this is a great place to chat, debate get some advice all of which can have nothing to do with children or with being a parent

there are of course other sites where of course it is about being totally wrapped up in being a parent that you have nothing of interest to say that deal only with child/parenting subjects

Ditto that this site has far more stuff than just children related stuff and this site has helped me deal with loads of personal issues either through my own threads or reading others.

I don't have children yet and this site was bought to my attention by someone who does about 5 or 6 years ago and its now one I check most.

It's not offensive but it is rather stupid.

Maybe there should be some easy way when a thread on a common subject comes up like this that we can link to other threads that have been started in the same subject? Not sure how it would work on a practical level...

Proudnscary, are you hungover? Because you're being a bit lot snarky. "stupid and offensive"? No. Maybe not well thought out. But you're coming close to stupid and offensive yourself.

I may as well 'fess up, I read this and having been a mod on another site which went through a similar thing, dropped by to rubberneck. I stayed for the humour/cooking/decorating/house porn/book etc chat. I'm interested in domestic type stuff, just don't have children to go with it all.

Proudnscary -are you often easily offended?

Most people seem brave enough to say why they post here and not run off feeling unwelcomed. AIBU can be a discussion - you don't have to make it a bunfight?

So it's offensive now to wonder why people do stuff? OP didn't say she thought the child free shouldn't post just wondered why they did. Nowt to get into a snit about.

OP, are you only a parent?
Do you only talk about parenting and your children?

You must be very dull indeed if that is the case.

Clearly only those who have proven reproductive abilities are allowed any contact with those under 16 years old. Stupid government wasting all that money on CRB checks so that teachers, youth workers, careers advisers, nurses, child minders, guide and scout leader and all the other bazillion people supporting parents can hold down a job.

Quick, someone report my SIL to social services for allowing me to take her children to the park so she can have a cup of tea in peace

I have wondered how people come across the site (as I say..offensive? stupid?)

I use other forums and start using them because I seek out a site with information about a particular subject (I've used wikivorce and a cycling site for example)

Mumsnet sounds rather mumsy and tbh puts me off as a site name

I'm here and i don't have 'children'.

Mine are all grown up now

I don't have children, nor am likely to (shrivelling hag emoticon). I come here for a chat; written in English not bleeding txtspk, and the excellent quality of swearing.

this is why

folk post and participate because they want to
simple as that really
being a parent doesn't imbue anyone with profound wisdom, plenty bampots who happen to be parents on mn

Totally agree - Paintedtoenails

I am a child-free and a nanny - I am able to give advice on some parenting issues, ask questions that come up in my working life or even discuss nanny stuff in the childminders section - tbh if there weren't any childfree nannies on the board then parents looking into having a nanny wouldn't get a lot of advice.

However it's not all about children and parenting. Threads I'm currently on are; sale twitchers, what should I buy for my kindle, childless sister is over indulging my dcs, what is a wally, where should I go in the states, something isn't right with my neighbours and why can't I use starbucks for just a wee? I am also commenting on what a 4 year old can do, and rights in a playground.

Hungover - tick
Easily offended - cross
Snarky - hmmm probably a tick
Allowed to have my own heartfelt opinion on this subject based on many similar threads where childfree posters have been upset and offended - tick

Hogmanay why would care if a non-parent gave parenting advice?

So you would object, say, to a childless teacher with 30 yrs' experience giving advice on discipline? Or a child psychologist talking about cognitive development? Or, I don't know, just some ordinary person who's spent quite a lot of time around children chipping in with some observation?

They might actually be more objective than someone who has DC - don't people always say that those whose first baby is easy assume it is down to their own superior parenting and then get a nasty shock when No. 2 comes along and is a nightmare?

I kinda get OPs point because I wouldn't think necessarily to come here because of the site name, I first came on looking at things about children.

But it comes up on google sometimes so I guess people find it other ways. And I'm damn pleased they are here sometimes.

Ahh don't be too harsh....perhaps the post alcoholic haze has had a disrupting influence on the OP's imagination?