To think that people just use MN as an opportunity to get a bit uppity?

[Holscrafty]

Have just been enjoying reading posts on another thread about funny things non-parents have said to you in a clueless type manner, suggesting that their cat/puppy is very similar, you get the picture...All very lighthearted stuff until a non-parent poster comes on and says we're being sanctimonious and the mood of the thread turns to people 'sticking up' for non-parent kitten and puppy raisers...

Have people lost their sense of humour?

Also, why join MN if you're not a parent of planning to be one? Would be like a non-pet owner joining the Labrador Owners Club!!!

It can happen on the most innocuous threads too.

There was a flame war about panty liners a while ago.

Sorry Mehitabel I misunderstood your comment.

I can imagine it's pretty painful for people who are unintentionally childless to have something they have said thrown back at them by a smug "oh you can't possibly understand how hard it is" parent.

Yes, it's so weird sometimes. Someone posts something pretty non controversial and before you know it it's turned into a massive flaming.

You'll love my response on that thread then OP.

I found MN through searching for TV programme reviews about three years ago and loved the place so stuck around. I had great fun on here and brilliant advice. In that time I have been ttc, have had one mc and I am now pg with my first. Happy with me being here, no?

I found the tone of the other thread smug and sneery. And the racist comment from OP not remotely funny or lighthearted.

Fair enough, if the subject was general (for example, pregnancy/childcare advice has changed massively over the last couple of generations so I am sure grandparents come out with some corkers too) but instead it singled out childless people, to 'lightheartedly' mock and for some, that mocking is going to hurt. It doesn't take much empathy to understand why.

Call me humourless if you wish, but if you search my history you'll find I'm far from it, and rarely get 'uppity' unless imo someone is being a twat.

People are tetchy for all manner of reasons. It's ephemeral trivia. It's a bit hard to care in a week where MN has seen real tragedy TBH.

And actually OP, the OP of that thread was indulging in outrageous casual racism so it wasn't all that lighthearted was it?

Offence about panty liners. .weird.

Offence at sneering at childless people on a site where some are infertile..more understandable.

And the racist comment from OP not remotely funny or lighthearted.

Ah, X post, someone else noticed then

It was real Jets v Sharks with the panty liners.

Those who used them felt those who didn't use them were sneering and superior. Then it became a feminist issue of wearing them to avoid being smelly. Some people said they aren't needed and the marketing men were selling women out. It all got a bit surreal.

I didn't see the racist comment, agree that wouldn't be funny though

Oh I did actually, and was

I don't suppose anyone has a link to that? I could do with a laugh.

(Tampon basket gate was good but I've worn it out )

The panty-liner wars I mean, I've seen quite enough of the racism

(It was rather Fanjo)

I really don't believe I was racist FYI just stating facts and she was quite scary so I am surprised I got away with my teeth. She literally chased me down the street to stand and shout at me.

Can't seem to find it, Arsenic.

Wonder if it got deleted?

Yes it was deleted in the last ten minutes, so can't C & P it all it but it ended with;

....his mum gave me a very large piece of her mind. In fact she was a visiting caravan owner from Ireland and I'm very surprised I got away with my teeth.

Mumraa err you totally were

Yeah Mumraa, just like you weren't being sneery re childless people

If I was being sneery about childless people I was also being sneery about myself pre children, you managed to read one part of that post....how did the other bit slip your mind?

I find it odd that anyone would care - or even know - who was or wasn't a parent here. Is that just me? It's such an odd mindset. Why would you care? Parenthood - or lack of it - does not define us or make us one thing or another. Thankfully I have never yet read a post and thought "Oh that person is definitely not a parent" - and I hope I never do.

How do people even know if people are parents or not from their comments? I don't care if the people on here are mums, nannies, grandmothers, childminders, everyone has different experiences. I do sometimes some start reading a thread, then read ''and my wife said'' then get confused and have to read it again thinking is this a man? A lesbian? But I do quite like that too.

But there are definitely people that are 'snippy' on here, it seems they are the people that have been on here for years and are bored with a certain post they have read many times before. But new mumsnet members don't know that, post harmlessly and then get a snippy comment. I wish people would just leave the thread if they are 'bored' or have seen it before. Why leave a bitchy comment? Just to mark your place and see if you get a response? Erghh

There are so many no-go topics now I feel like writing a list. Innocuous subjects seem to get everyone all het up.

But plenty of non parents (not sure I like that expression) own dogs/cats like cooking/baking, fashion etc. A lot of them work with children, have relationships, are interested in FWR etc. MN isn't just AIBU and child raising I am sure some people think it is though.

I still think Penis Beaker has a lot to answer for.

I always enjoy defending my wearing of panty liners. So I look out for those threads.

Even though we (wearers) give our very valid reasons, we have the same set of posters (all very active on the Feminist Board and sneery about those of us who aren't) telling us that we've just given into marketing and don't know our own bodies or lifestyles well enough to be thinking for ourselves.

As soon as a casual bit of racism was spouted, the thread wasn't lighthearted.

The washing of chicken is a very hotly debated subject this week.

I have FWR firmly hidden along with tons of other topics.

sparkling this morning I googled "how to defrost a whole chicken quickly" and was directed to a netmums thread. One poster claimed submerging in hot water also worked for her!

Fucking hell!

Nooo Nomore stop the chicken dunking madness!!