being a mumsnet member with no children

[twosugarspls]

.. and no desire to have children. i occasionally see people posting that have no children and admit they don't want children, i thought mumsnet was for mums.. or people trying to conceive? or am i missing the point

Yes you are missing the point. Anyone who cares about the world we live in and what we will leave for the future are an important part of this site.

In answer to your question... You're missing the point.

The majority of chat on here has nothing to do with parenting. I don't like the inference that people who post on here but don't have children are not part of some special "club" that means they shouldn't be allowed and only mummies are relevant. This kind of honking is divisive and totally unnecessary.

I prefer the threads without children mentioned. And I have 3 of them.

Not a parent and not likely to be but I know plenty of people that are. It’s good getting an insight into the issues and problems parents face. Plus, childfree doesn’t mean we hate children or don’t want to read about them. They’re just little people after all

Well from scrolling down the first page of the AIBU page there are 35 threads that aren't about children. Then you get other (most) sections of Mumsnet that aren't related to children - pets pages, cookery, diy, beauty, tv... It would be a pretty boring place if people only came on to talk about parenting.

OP, I THINK (and I'm prepared to be flamed here, as you have been for asking a perfectly legitimate question...) that MN was originally set up as a site for mums who had questions over parenting.

However, it's changed and evolved over the years and now embraces all topics. so you are very welcome

I'm here for cancer support. Plus the odd rant every now and then. Oh and anything to do with cooking and dogs and more dogs and dog photos. Kids? Nah, they bore me (apart from my own) .

I have no children and wasn’t even ttc when I joined. I just kept finding myself here after googling various things and found the threads really useful for dealing with various situations. Now I am actually addicted to AIBU

I am single, no kids and will be staying that way by choice. I look on here most days, some brilliant and really bad stories.....

Someone once had a go at me for being on here, saying I must be a paedophile, looking for mums with kids.

Made me laugh! Idiot!

I have found the advice and tips on here most helpful when it comes to parenting my wilful, noisy, ungrateful parrots. I am rather inclined to spoil them. And I definitely have favourites.

twosugars can you not see how your post could piss people off who suffer infertility, haven’t got kids? As far as I’m aware the site is inclusive.

The face is mainly used in a snide/ sarcastic way which probably set the tone for the replies you’ve received.

My gay male doctor admitted using it.

I think anyone who is interested ought to be able to come on here.
We eat the porn-seeking guys alive (remember 'flick the bean' man?!) but everyone else seems to have a good time chatting.

I think there are some great conversations/discussions here about many things. Kids are not essential for that. Although I get the ethos of the site just the same.

Where would you draw the line? 100y old posting about their 80y child? Or once your child is 18 job done you no longer qualify? Or pop a baby out once you qualify for special area To chat forever.

Its pretty obvious. Mumsnet is a mostly female focused forum. Children are only a small part of womanhood and entirely optional but birth control, periods, menopause, pregnancy scares, Shitty friends, vile ex husbands/partners, a crappy relative and the need to read the ghastly things folk do on AIBU? are almost entirely universal for all women.

Tink - your little one needs far more exposure on the Litter Tray!

The clue here, OP, is not in the name.

Childless not by choice but I like it here.

Most internet forums have a name that sounds more niche than its actual audience.

@ChestyNutsRoastingOnAnOpenFire i didn't think about that no, sorry. i didn't mean to offend anybody who can't have children but use the site i was simply asking a question. i used the face as a question asking face as there aren't many emojis to choose from

Its pretty obvious. Mumsnet is a mostly female focused forum. Children are only a small part of womanhood and entirely optional but birth control, periods, menopause, pregnancy scares, Shitty friends, vile ex husbands/partners, a crappy relative and the need to read the ghastly things folk do on AIBU? are almost entirely universal for all women. grin

Can we rename it this bluewaters nailed it.

These threads do pop up regularly, I am surprised that MN has never altered it's strapline of 'by parents for parents'. It's at the top left of my screen (on a laptop) right now.

Thanks passmethecake and yetanothersparticus I shall feature her on there more! Sorry if I was mean OP. This site is far more universal than the name suggests and your post could really rub people struggling to have children the wrong way with your post.

I dont have children :) But I want them- relationship new right now so will probably be a while....I am however an Aunty but there is no AuntyNet
I joined because I have been reading here for several years. I work in Early Years and much of the ideas and advice on here has been really useful. I actually first started reading to gleen thoughts from parent's point of view on nursery issues....it has been a really helpful and interesting sight...many things that have been said I have carried over into how I run things at the nursery.
"Mummy advice" has also been valuable as I lost my mum and believe it or not some of your words of wisdom have really helped me out and gain perspective.
Plus lots of threads just make me laugh!

@EmpressOfJurisfiction the feminism board fries my brain🙈 im trying to get up to date with all the sayings, still have no clue what 'peaking' is though!

This is a good place to start: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3145470-Break-it-down-for-me