To have only just began to realise that people with no children use Mumsnet

[KellyElly]

Maybe I'm a bit slow (have been on here for a while) but have seen quite a few people on the various threads recently saying they don't have children. I don't think I even really heard about this website until I was pregnant with my daughter - or if I had it hadn't really registered with me. Not saying they shouldn't btw, just making an observation and wondering why the people with no kids do use it

Because its about so much more than DCs.

Lots of hilarious threads in chat and AIBU and good advice in health, dig house etc etc.

Perhaps they are TTC? There is a whole board on infertility.
Or perhaps they just want to get involved in conversations about food, feminism, style and beauty, food, current affairs, travel etc

Because I'm a nanny. But I spend more time lurking aibu and arts and crafts then on the nanny section!

It takes a village to raise a child, hopefully people without children are interested in issues surrounding their upbringing,

And in return, it might be useful to know how our offspring effect those without children.

I don't have children but my DN lives with me Monday-Friday. I found MN when he was first born as his mum used to say that the HV had told her various strange things and I wondered if there was any truth in them googled a few things, found the forum and never looked back!

I very rarely post about DN but love being able to 'talk' to intelligent and funny women about all sorts of things you wouldn't discuss in RL.

I knew vaguely about MN for a while, but only actually used it after an ectopic pregnancy. It was great for support and information.

Then I came back again to get info in the step parenting section and just sort of hung around, really. I like AIBU, the style and beauty sections, chat... there's some good conversations to be had here.

Oh yes. Loads of them. And loads of threads about them

I happen to be a parent, but I don't use mumsnet for much in the way of parenting chat

It's a massive forum with a lot of funny, intelligent people.

There are several reasons that I come here:

1. I have issues with my own mum and find the relationships forum useful
2. It helps me understand the issues that my friends / family members with DC face, making me a better friend / relative
3. There's lots of useful advice on here
4. It's really entertaining!

HTH

If you are just making an observation then you are neither being reasonable nor unreasonable.

I came here for advice on step parenting.

It actually wasn't much use but I stayed because I find some threads entertaining and enlightening!

I saw a post yesterday and it sort of clicked that they didn't have children not in a bad way . I sort of assumed you look for a parenting forum because you are a parent , but since ive been here ive never been in a parenting section a do go into the teen section though ,,

I don't think I've ever used MN to discuss DD which is strange considering I joined straight after I had her, probably thinking it'd be for that sole purpose. How pleasantly surprised I was to find what a treasure chest of goodies it contained :o

I read MN loads when I was trying to decide whether to have dc or not. It opened my eyes to the good and bad, then I finally took the plunge

Granted it's very entertaining! If I'f have known that I would have used it too before having my daughter

quoteunquote that's a very good point and a reason for everyone to use mumsnet!

I like the fucking swearing

I was reccomended this site to keep my sanity after getting DSD full time

You have all really helped a new mum (so to speak) with various silly questions ranging from birthday parties to feet measurements

To which I am always grateful [bow]

It's the only forum that I know of with lots of intelligent and funny women posting.

I am never even planning to have children, so not really sure how I ended up here.

Mrsjay that's exactly what I thought. Is there a teen section?? May need to read to prepare for the future!

Anyway there isn't a person on the planet that doesn't have a mother.

mine died years ago, but I still had one.

yes there is a teen section in the parenting bit i clicked it by accident i do have teens though well 1 is almost 20 >

I met dp and went from working with children with SN to being an Aunty to a child with SN.

From my SIL's point of view, i reckon this place has been invaluable simply because it's where i learned to keep my fat gob shut and not make stupid suggestions about how she parents her child! (very very well, actually)

Cos how many active forums with people my age are there out there?

Strangely, most of my peers have kids. I don't.

Should I be exluded / exclude myself from discussions that the majority of the time have bugger all to do with children?

Hmm you are right of course most forums are Interest or hobbies or other

I don't think the OP meant anything against non parents she just didn't realise or click that others would use here that's all,

I do have kids, but I would say 80% of my posting is nothing to do with parenting - I originally joined to find support for getting fit and dieting.

I do see what the OP is getting at, though - if I didn't have kids I probably wouldn't have even contemplated joining MN, thinking "oh, it's not for me, I'm not a mum". Whereas, of course, it is SO much more than a parenting website.

I found Mumsnet while TTC. Instead I discovered the Relationships board and left the abusive bastard. Ergo no DC.

I stayed because I feel at home here (female space, same broad age group, fantastically intelligent and funny and warm posters).

Also, I have learned so much about the realities faced by parents through Mumsnet - stuff I had no clue about. It's very enriching.