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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask those who don't have children and aren't trying, what made you come here?

157 replies

Emlou07 · 17/12/2017 07:17

After reading another thread where there are some ladies who said they don't have children, don't want them and haven't tried..

What made you come to a parenting website?

I understand those who have tried or can't have children etc. - NOT a hate thread, genuinely wondering x

OP posts:
HerSymphonyAndSong · 17/12/2017 09:11

“Ladies” is a bit yuck, sorry. Saying that doesn’t mean that people are “offended” (whatever that means)

It’s also often used by trolls who haven’t figured out the tone on MN. but that’s not to say the OP is one - just that it puts people off

Pickleypickles · 17/12/2017 09:11

Why is it an awful word?

Pickleypickles · 17/12/2017 09:12

X post. I disagree but each to there own Smile

HerSymphonyAndSong · 17/12/2017 09:12

“I don't think offended is the right word...”

I notice this a lot sparkling - people accusing others of being “offended” when often they have expressed something completely different. I’m not really sure what “offended” means any more!

HerSymphonyAndSong · 17/12/2017 09:13

Haha and “each to their own” usually means anything but! :D

ohfortuna · 17/12/2017 09:13

Mumsnet has transcended its roots as a parenting site

In my mind the mum in Mumsnet no longer refers to women as mothers, it's something to do with the fact that women are no longer limited to the domestic sphere, women have transcended just being mothers ...we are reaching out for everything.

Clumsily worded but I hope the gist of it comes across😶😄

Frillyhorseyknickers · 17/12/2017 09:13

I’m a mum now but arrived via a horse forum years ago after someone linked to
Penis beaker thread.

It’s a broad forum with a great many topics having nothing to do with children.

Pickleypickles · 17/12/2017 09:14

To me personally something that i find "ew" or "yuck" is offensive

Iwasjustabouttosaythat · 17/12/2017 09:14

I came for the chocolate in the fridge discussion which I googled. So wrong. So very wrong. Then I was hooked on AIBU.

Sparklingbrook · 17/12/2017 09:15

I notice this a lot sparkling - people accusing others of being “offended” when often they have expressed something completely different. I’m not really sure what “offended” means any more!

Totally agree.

Laiste · 17/12/2017 09:15

I found MN about 9 years ago when i googled something or other and saw a thread about a big argument in M&S to do with someone taking some trousers back. It was on AIBU and i've been here practically daily ever since!

I do have kids, 4 of them, but didn't 'come here' because of the fact. And i don't stay here because of it either.

(i hate ''ladies'' too. It's just so ....... i don't know ....... ''come on laydeeeeeees '' ... yuk. That's the best i can do at this time a Sunday morning)

Original poster
Emlou07 · 17/12/2017 09:15

@theimportanceofbeinghappy - I agree!!

I'm not sure why so many people are offended by this question, especially the 'ladies' part. Seriously?! Hmm

I joined before I had children so I was wondering what other peoples motives were too.. Jeez!

OP posts:
user7680 · 17/12/2017 09:15

If you google something eg relationships or alcoholism etc you end up reading MN posts

Costacoffeeplease · 17/12/2017 09:15

Why does this keep cropping up? Parenting and conceiving is a smallish part of the site and easily avoided, although there are some threads that I read out of curiosity, even through they don’t apply to me. As a ‘child free by choice’ some are enlightening and some are gobsmacking Smile

I mostly read travel, pets, style and beauty - all of which may, or may not, have anything to do with whether you have children

WanderingJules · 17/12/2017 09:16

Child free here, but was searching on Google for easy starter ideas for Xmas dinner, and Mumsnet popped up. Curiosity got the better of me, and that was that.
I love the gardening and recipes threads, also chat, classics and AIBU.
Been on here about 5 years ago now, nc’d a few times.
I’m still doing the easy Xmas dinner starter 😀🎄..

Sparklingbrook · 17/12/2017 09:16

Nobody is offended. Jeez. Hmm

I am out. Hope you got the answers you wanted OP. Smile

Original poster
Emlou07 · 17/12/2017 09:17

To add - If I'd have used the term 'women' someone would have moaned too..

OP posts:
Costacoffeeplease · 17/12/2017 09:17

Lady, to me, means David Walliams in Little Britain Grin

MazDazzle · 17/12/2017 09:19

I used to wonder the same OP. I think the name Mumsnet is misleading, as it’s evolved into something much more.

Mumsnet is my DH’s go to place for reliable advice and recommendations. What does Mumsnet say? is a common question in our house!

Laiste · 17/12/2017 09:21

Speaking for myself 'offended' isn't the right word.

I find it cringey. Don't know the proper word for that but it's not offense.

mookinsx · 17/12/2017 09:22

i don't have kids yet but decided to join -
i just needed xmas present ideas

LolaTheDarkdestroyer · 17/12/2017 09:22

Op the majority of your threads are borderline goady. I have a feeling you have floated over from nethuns can you please float back?

JonnaSilvie · 17/12/2017 09:22

Actually, I don't think people would have moaned if you'd said "women".

I think "ladies" reads as patronising on MN.

HerSymphonyAndSong · 17/12/2017 09:23

Not offended, or affronted, or irritated, or furious, or blue in the face about “ladies” at all. It’s just a bit cringey

You don’t have to say “women” either - a man has replied to this thread anyway

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 17/12/2017 09:24

I was looking for advice about my cat and came across the Litter Tray which, as another poster said, is the best cat forum around.