To wonder when Mumsnet stopped being a place for mums?

[Fenced]

I used to frequent the site years ago and have come back recently because I became a mum again! However, whilst I am all for equality, the site seems to be full of people who aren't mums or aren't even parents! (and a good few who are journalists hunting for stories!).

I would never suggest anyone be excluded from the warmth, breadth of knowledge or bat shit crazy hysteria that the site offers, I was just wondering when it stopped being a place mainly for mums?

(I am not suggesting dads or non parents aren't welcome, just curious as to when the shift happened?).

I joined because I found the site googling for wedding advice - I read the wedding and conception forums as they are relevant to me. I come on AIBU as it's entertaining. Where's the harm?

Really think this implication non mothers should be excluded is pathetic.

LadyOfTheCanyon
I used to frequent the site years ago and have come back recently because I became a mum again!

'Again' suggests she was a parent in the past when she joined MN.

When games of Mornington Crescent started, or maybe when male politicians started falling over themselves to tell you about their favourite biscuits?

I hear Digital Spy might close shortly too

Really? I thought DS was a very, very active forum indeed and if they can't remain financially viable that's very telling.

Thank you booboo and disturbed

Still don't believe it really happened

This will be the one baby I can't sleep train and will never hear the end of it 😬

kateandme don't be silly!
Don't keep quiet. We all say silly things, or get misunderstood at times, that's life!
You don't sound like a nasty person at all! Stick around, this site needs more nice people

Do you know OP I thought the exact same - only came back to this site after many years and was confused as there were a lot of non parents on here. You're not half being blasted for bringing the whole issue up but I think you've got a point. There's a lot of defensive people on here.

was confused as there were a lot of non parents on here

How strange that you are confussed by non parents....

I make no judgements on those with fertility issues.

Well fuck you very much.

kali hehe thanks. I have no way with words.in my head ive got the diologue going of wanting to be all good and helpful and often it comes out the opposite. and its no excuse but also with no schooling ive suffered I know I have in how to form sentences properly and make sense of them to others who aren't in my brain lol

Made sense to me too kate!

It made sense to me too kate

Well I joined for the conception support, then moved on to IVF support, spent a bit of time on the pregnancy boards and finally ended up on the miscarriage support boards.

I guess I should just look for the door then.

Anyone else know of a place where I can discuss gardening, cat ownership, knitting, houses, general life, books, tv programmes, radio programmes, DIY, cooking and baking where I don't need to state my parenting credentials?

I think you've got a point.

What point? That someone hasn't pro created stops them having an opinion on stuff?

I first came on as a nanny looking for advice with a difficult child, and have stayed as a trainee teacher. I will probably still be here when I have kids too.

For me this is my current trending discussions.
Only one of them is to do with children.

When it comes down to it, if all the non-parents left, MN would lose a lot of ad revenue, and popularity, at the very least. It's in their interests to attract and retain as many active members as possible, parents or not. I imagine the amount of members is the reason why they are able to attract and promote so many competitions/surveys/special offers for members over other forums.

Two threads about this!?

Off topic from OP, but is Digital Spy really in danger of closing? I joined there for the big brother forum but stayed (much like here) as there was more to it than that. I browse occasionally and it seems to be busier than ever :S

Sheld0n, indeed, but it also needs to retain it's USP, which is that it's a less twee version of Netmums.

If it just became AnyoneNet, advertisers get twitchy, because they don't know exactly who they're marketing to.

As I said upthread, if it's true that a huge, popular forum like Digital Spy isn't financially viable, then it means that online forums are more financially precarious then most of us realise.

kate i'm the opposite yet i've put my foot in my mouth several times

AHedgehogCanNeverBeBuggered
Well put

Boo I missed the "again" -apologies !

I see it more as a site for women, and I like that.

Such a small proportion of threads are actually about children/being a parent that I don't see how posters' child status matters.

Ahedgehog re my previous comment I make no judgement on fertility issues^ I didn't want to elaborate but with your incredibly rude response I feel I have to. Did you consider that perhaps I had personal issues with fertility issues hence my comment? Everyone is entitled to an opinion, is there any need to use such crude language? I've had enough of the over reactions to this original post and certainly won't be following this thread anymore as it seems to get more and more offensive and quite frankly, life is too short for all this hatred!

Yeah, god-forbid those of us without kids should ever pitch in with support or advice on topics such as aibu, relationships etc. I didn't realise not having a child made me totally useless to society. Thanks Fenced for pointing that out.