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 thought it was a site for anyone who has, or used to have, a Mum.
Mum enthusiasts, if you will.

That's true Piglet.

OP, since
1/ they have made it more prominent on google search, so this site will often come up first page if you're looking for reviews / opinions / discussions

2/. Journalists got lazy and write about posts on here. Brings in general traffic

My ex had kids and as I'd never had any experience with step-parenting, I joined to get some advice.

We split earlier this year, does that mean I have to leave now?!

at 'Mum enthusiasts'

I only recently joined MN after searching for something non parenting and coming across a useful thread. I kind of missed the boat when my own kids were small. I would have loved parenting advice back then from MN. I see now it has evolved because parents aren't only focused on their children. They have questions and concerns about all aspects of their lives including ageing parents, work, illness, bereavement etc. Those things concern everyone, not just parents. Hence MN is for everyone and very inclusive. Just the way I like it.

Whether it's for mums or not it's certainly one of the most bitchy, trolly and aggressive sites out there.

As this thread has ably demonstrated.

Wish people could calm the fuck down sometimes.

I highly doubt that the OP will come back considering she has thoroughly been given the pitchfork treatment. One thing that is really disgusting about AIBU is that there can be no reasoned discussion. If someone dares to have an opinion that is not agreed with then outright bullying is somehow acceptable. Also any extra PPs' comments that agree with the OP and extend it are then attributed to the OP to make the OP an even more acceptable target for bullying. Pretty sure that she didn't "lump non-parents in with transactivists". She also didn't call some of the PPs on here hysterical - others did. For god's sake, all she did was ask WHEN this site became more interesting to non-parents. She never said anything about non-parents not being welcome - those words have been put into her mouth. And her comments on another thread do not have anything to do with the question she asked here.

i fucking hate seeing bullying on AIBU. Self-righteous "I-think-that-the-OP- should-be-burnt-as-a-witch" bollocks.

Agree with you maggiethemagpie

I thought MN was always considered a nest of vipers, that's not a recent thing, and certainly covers more than just parenting!

The non-parents on this site (the ones who become regulars, not odd GFs and trolls obv who may or may not be parents) make it a richer place.

Being a parent can put constraints on your RL social interactions, so having a wide variety of people to talk to or ask questions of here is bloody wonderful! E.g one of the 'parent' type of threads I'm on at the moment is about university applications, its mostly mutual support but then there are some really helpful contributions from people who work in unis, who volunteer authoritative answers to our questions. I don't know if they are parents or not, they come to offer help rather than seek it for themselves.

Jupiter

yes there are a few GFs on MN. They trawl around picking fights, name calling etc. Sometimes trolling. They are a pain and I usually try to press the delete button in my head when I see their posts.

I hope you report these to MNHQ?

oranges I expect you did not see op's recent post to a woman who had been raped by her husband

She/he used rape apology. Now those type of people are not welcome on a parenting site.

I take back my second comment. I've just read the OPs comments on that other thread.

What a goady post. "I was just wondering when it stopped being a place mainly for mums? "

Were you hoping for an actual date that this supposedly happened? What is the point of your post?

I saw you on the other post, OP. Suggesting anal rape is ok because maybe the victim indulged in "S&M type shit". When she never even suggested that. Rape apologies and goady fuckery. It's been a busy few hours for you, hasn't it.

I often wonder the same thing op. I think the site changed a great deal in the run up to the 2010 general election when it was in effect "sold" as a great place for electioneering and opinion gathering. Now I think the tagline by parents for parents is misleading. It is a site for everyone and always has been, but the balance has tipped in favour of ill tempered discourse and a great deal of goading and fuckwittery and is a million miles away from where it started.

i think mums are the best humans n the planet.that thing in them that brings such warmth and nurture.that attracts me. and the mumsying(yes not a word) if people supporting mumming(yes another not words) eachtoehr like a mother would.nurturing and caring for one another.thats what I came to it for

kate

I have though been a bit shocked at some of the replys to innocent people indistress.but that people I think we aren't all nice all the time nor are we ever able to not be cruel crass or non judgemntal.its human. but basically its lovely and kind.
also though too I don't like sometimes seeing on this morning suddenly an exact sotry from here!! gets me a bit paranoid of being watched?

I found this site after finding out I was pregnant with twins (I already knew I was pregnant, the twins part was the surprise). I stayed for much, much more than pregnancy talk.

houseofplumroots what did I say wrong

I've been here for a few years, it has always been for everyone.
You don't need to be a parent to have an opinion on certain subjects.
What about people trying to concieve?
People who have found out they can never have kids?
'Well sorry you can't be on mumsnet anymore you're not a parent'
How ridiculous.
As for people being rude to the op, her comments are rude and downright offensive.
This was started purely to start a bunfight.
With liv all the way on this one.

I think it still IS mainly mums who post here...that's the overall impression I get. I think non mums are surely in the minority.

kate so all mum's are best human beings on the planet? Rose West was a mum.

kali100 I agree with you this is what I was thinking though my post was shitly put!