What I have learnt from Mumsnet

[Parker231]

(putting this in AIBU as I couldn't think of another place)

As the title says - I like reading Mumsnet for the range of opinions and subjects discussed but off the top of my head and in no particular order have learnt the following (and yes I know there are always exceptions)

• there are a large number of SAHM's - I don't know any but have always worked ft
• very scary how many women don't have equal access to family money
• seems to be a large number of women still living in the 1950's
• breakfast and after school are seen as a negative
• lots of poor parenting by fathers
• cooking from scratch is perceived as a major positive - I'd never heard of this term before Mumsnet and don't think I have ever cooked from scratch (DH probably does!)
• the vast majority of childcare is still done by mothers
• ditto for household admin
• significant number of women who work, only work part time
• seems that if one parent is to be the "stay at home", in the majority of cases its the mother
• why are more fathers the major earners and have better careers? Did women not go to school and get qualifications?
• cooking and housework seems to be done mainly by women
• men work very long hours so can't do housework and shopping
• lots of women don't seem to have any hobbies/activities on their own outside the home

I find it interesting to read the different ways we all manage our life, family, work, relationships.

I learnt from MN the early signs of ASD, and about ABA which is the only approach to teaching kids with ASD which had any evidential basis. This enabled me to get ds diagnosed and set up a programme which lead to exponential developmental progress for him.
I will bless this site and the people here who helped me every sodding day for the rest of my life.

That envelope necked baby vests can be pulled down the body. Could have avoided quite a few poo in baby's hair and having to wash the baby moments.

I learned that some people don't like toilet brushes.

That plenty of people from southern England still see the North of England as some bizarre barren wasteland.

It's taught me that

• There is always at least one person who gets offended by absolutely anything
• 'Women' don't like the term 'ladies'
• People can be extremely unnecessarily vile. Not sure if they feel it gives them some kind of points?
• People often put other people down to make themselves feel better
• Jealousy vs keyboard warriors
• If you don't share an opinion you're wrong

• You're not alone
• Someone else has gone through it too
• Someone else always has it worse than you
• A lot of people on here rock

Not all of these apply to me, but more an observation.

I've been surprised at...

How quickly people will advise LTB, sometimes for the slightest "wrong".

People out there are putting their loo brush through the dishwasher.

How many people don't think it's dishonest to keep something you haven't paid for.

How many people spend more on their nails/makeup a month than I spend on hair/clothes in a year.

Some people have fantastic budgets for holidays.

I am poorer than the majority of MN posters. And how many posters have no idea what it's really like to grow up poor.

How many professional/employed MN-ers can spend all day posting.

As someone posted previously, the first few replies set the tone, but if someone is "brave" enough to post an opposing view more people will add their voice to that view.

Some people have never had a midnight snack...

I’ve learned a lot of useful and interesting information about SEN and disabilities.
Zoflora.
That many young women have depressingly old fashioned views about relationships and work.
That the NHS is a religion.
That women of my age (mid 50s) are old.
That there are a lot of people out there who shouldn’t be left in sole charge of either a car or a small child.

I am 60+ and had never heard of Family Time until I joined MN. I thought it was just life . I have also learned that hobbies ( never explained what they are ) are very important and each partner MUST have an equal amount of uninterrupted time on these mysterious hobbies. I have also discovered that any money going into a house is Family Money and separate bank accounts are frowned upon. Oh and that a spa day solves all problems.
On the plus side I have learned that No is a complete sentence and the joy of a tinkly little laugh.

The number of mums who have no financial security (ie not married, house in partner's name only) is far higher than I ever imagined.

Cheeky fuckers are remarkably common.

Most people do far more housework than I do.

The number of very funny women appears to be in inverse proportion to the number of female comedians on tv.

I’ve learnt that IABU to be really good friends with work colleagues. Not sure if I’d have any friends if I wasn’t but apparently it’s not a good idea.