Mumsnet has changed my thoughts and attitudes in the four years I've been prowling these 'ere boards.
I have a big group of friends in RL and a lively, jokey social life blah de blah but my hackles get raised so much more quickly now. My attitude and knowledge about feminism, porn, domestic abuse, is much more evolved than it was pre Mumsnet (I didn't really think about these things to be honest). Now I speak up and challenge dodgy views - (hopefully) in a good natured/bantery way.
BUT it's weird when you get a RL vs Mumsnet jolt! When a group of intelligent, fab real life women talk dismissively about things that people would go nuts about on here. It's like a parallel universe in some ways. So sometimes I think it's made me go slightly insania.
Anyone else remotely know what I mean?!
AIBU?
To think Mumsnet has changed me?? (or Mumsnet vs The Real World)
Proudnscary · 07/10/2012 07:59
Just today a friend was saying how her DH has a habit of just disappearing off at the weekends for a few hours without telling her, leaving her with the kids (he has also distanced himself from her in other ways), and sometimes doesn't even take his phone. I immediately asked, does he have a second phone? And had to stop myself from saying, check his phone history, he's probably having an affair. I just recognised all the signs from MN 
i feel more confident through using mumsnet! i have spent 13 years with a fairly controlling man, and as a result was feeling quite low about myself in alot of areas.
since being on mn, though, i have realised that i AM a fundamentally good person, and that i AM a good mum (contrary to what i was told by xh).
i have also become far more nosey concerned about others' issues on here 
.
I often think "what would they say on AIBU?" and then I know whether I'm BU or not 
Me too Jugs.
MN has given me confidence to challenge racist & sexist comments. It's made me more self-aware and aware of others' behaviour.
I especially love the 'random acts of kindness' threads and now have the confidence to show kindness to people where before (out of shyness) I would have ignored & walked past.
I love MN and wish it had been around when my children were small - I'm convinced I would have been a much better mother if I'd had you all to advise me.
YANBU I love mn! It has shaped me as a person. I am better informed, more aware, stronger, less judgy and more confident. It's been a huge influence on my life. I should post more as I get a bit shy (silly) but I've been on the boards for 5 years 
. Amazing women (and men!) on here.
CockyPants I think there is a feeling that the first rule of mumsnet is that you don't talk about mumsnet!
I think that's partly because people reveal so much personal stuff here, and are scared of being outed.
I do think there's an unspoken understanding also that you'll lay yourself open to misogynist and/or ignorant stereotypes of what a group of mothers would be talking about, from any arseholes around. Sometimes people snigger when they hear the word "mumsnet" (have heard this especially on TV / radio). It's to do with their own suspect attitudes towards women and mothers, and is pretty sad IMO. Also their assumptions of what mumsnet is like are usually so way off the mark as to be laughable!
I don't hide it my mumsnetting, shameless, me I tell everyone who they should be on mumsnet. I know some of my mum friends are here ... but they don't talk about it. I've also managed to convince one of my non-mum friends - she loves it and is now telling all her other friends they should join too
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