MN's without children?

[giggly]

I have often wondered why there are OP's who post who don't have children. Taking those TTC, MC or bereaved into account I keep coming across posters without kids.

I'm not complaining just genuinely confused as in the title "by parents for parents" why would anyone come across/ venture into MN if they have no kids, not TTC !MC or bereaved.??

Nobody justify themselves! I have no idea if people have DC or not most of the time and it makes no difference.

I am a mother but I can see the appeal. There is lots on here that is nothing to do with children. I think the site is much better for a wide variety of backgrounds. If it was just 'by parents for parents' it would be deadly boring. I haven't found a similar site.

ilu sparkling

Aww Blither, I just want everyone to be happy on here.

I found it because a friend on another forum linked to a Classics thread on here - can't even remember what it was about. I had heard of Mumsnet in the papers etc but the impression I got from them was somewhat different from what I actually found! I ended up reading pages of the Classics forum and then ventured elsewhere to see what was going on. Obviously I don't get involved in discussions about child-rearing, choosing schools, names etc, but there's so much else on here!

If there was another forum with so many smart interesting adults discussing such a wide range of topics, I might go there, but MN is the best that I've found so far for it.

It's pretty high on google's database so it comes up for a lot of things. I found it originally when I worked in healthcare related graphics and I had to make a presentation about cot death. Got curious about the back to sleep recommendation, googled it and ended up on mumsnet.

I do have a 5yo now but I didn't when I first found the site. I don't think I joined until after he was born, though.

I love MN because as a singleton with no DCs I can indulge in the best perk of the childfree - Unwanted Parenting Advice.

I don't have kids and not planning to but I bloody love this site as it has helped me to have perspective and emphay with my friends and family with kids, coping strategies for parents in law and I kick up the arse when I've needed it when too embarrassed to speak to people in real life. It's a great place for support and a laugh but I do feel like an imposter when questions like this are asked, I don't like anywhere else :(

Sorry for typos, on phone!

When I post about pies and sandwich fillings, hot men or peri menopause the fact that I'm a mother is completely irrelevant. I'm just me.

I hate the idea that people feel like imposters

Oh yes, no one has better parenting advice that us child free people.
I would be a brilliant mother and a much batter parent than any of the rest of you. It's not my fault I've not been given the chance to prove it.

I'm really sorry, I know I should read the thread but there are so many zillion of these and they're all equally thoughtless (sorry, OP, they are).

You seem to imagine everyone will race to tell you they're TTC or bereaved or whatever. IME, this is not the case. For many people, it's very private, so no, they won't necessarily carry a big badge o' shame with 'I am trying for a baby so allowed on MN' on it, nor will they necessarily want to tell you about their failed IVF or their miscarriages or, even, the fact they'd love children but haven't found someone to have them with. All of these are pretty common, and all are quite often hidden under a polite 'gosh, no, I am childless and happy' statement.

It is courteous not to push people for answers when you can tell the answer might be painful, IMO.

Thank you for saying so. x

I think this question can be answered VERY easily with simply....

WHY NOT?

Because despite your attitude I've always found MN to be a really inclusive place

Why not? I don't give a damn whether or not posters have got children, though if they want children I hope that they are able to do so. I am a member of a web site for people from a specific religion but I am no longer a practising member of that religion. Why is it any different?

LRD - excellent response

Op, odfod

Mumsnet can be and has been a lifeline to some people. Its not about your parenting status, its about giving and receiving invaluable advice. Talking people down from the edge, confidence boost, reassurance. Its a safe place to do it with people who have a wealth of experience.

Its just a shame people seek to abuse it like I've seen a few times.

I come on here to escape my children issues!

I don't have children either. MN and many of its members have been an invaluable support to me since I joined almost 3 years ago.
I can talk on here about things I cant talk about in RL due to my familys attitudes towards certain things.