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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Why do childless people join Mumsnet?

255 replies

Sammysees · 12/01/2019 09:12

Each to their own and I’m not saying they shouldn’t join. There are a plethora of boards that help people with or without kids. The site is called “Mums”net though. I’m curious as to why someone without kids would even think to join the site in the first place. If you are childless and reading this ... Can I ask what made you join Mumsnet?

OP posts:
IwantedtobeEmmaPeel · 12/01/2019 10:56

I'm curious why you need to post this topic. It has been done several times already, a quick search would have shown you this. I also wonder why you have not yet realised that this site no longer just deals with issues solely relating to parenthood? Are you perhaps a bit dim, or maybe a lazy DM journo, or both.

Just look at the broad spectrum of topics discussed on Mumsnet.

Some on Mumsnet are currently parents, some are long done with childrearing and enjoying their freedom, some decided having children wasn't for them, some sadly can't. All these people are multi-faceted human beings, capable of being interested in other subjects other those related solely to procreation and child rearing. I know (shock, horror), who knew.

I myself came via Penis Beaker and laughed so much (despite my child rearing days being well and truly over) that I stayed. I persuse the Pet section, S&B, AIBU, relationships, reading recommendations and follow a couple of Ops in their journey out of abusive relationships, willing them on to a better life. I also currently follow the house moving thread as have a vested interest in this subject at the moment.

There, I have very generously given my time in trying to educate you on something that should be evident, because I am a nice person; there are lots of nice, funny, intelligent people on here (not all Mums) and some batshit crazy and that is why we return to this site again and again. Oh, and like a p/p I like the swearing. I would be chucked off the other site due to my potty mouth. HTH.

IwantedtobeEmmaPeel · 12/01/2019 11:00

Because you won't get a more well rounded individual than someone that has been a mother and/or a wife for a prolonged period.
That is the funniest thing I have read in ages.

What was I saying about batshit crazy?

Leighhalfpennysthigh · 12/01/2019 11:01

Oh dear. Here we go again.

Thishatisnotmine · 12/01/2019 11:03

I see hoe much is not telated to children on the forums, but I wouldnt have thought to join before dc. I assume that google leads a lot of people here?

snowie01 · 12/01/2019 11:05

Because we fucking want to Grin

Thishatisnotmine · 12/01/2019 11:06

Because you won't get a more well rounded individual than someone that has been a mother and/or a wife for a prolonged period.

Yeah, pretty offensive to those who have had abusive or even just shitty mothers or wives. Long term partners are not well rounded though, just wives! Hmm

elasticfantastic · 12/01/2019 11:09

I found it when googling when I found out I was pregnant the first time. 6 miscarriages later I'm still not a mum but have found lots of support in the infertility section. Also lots of topics have nothing to do with being a mum, for example I enjoy reading the property and DIY forums. And obviously for the AIBU threads which are often hilarious and ridiculous.. pure entertainment value!

The fact that mumsnet has whole sections for infertility should make it obvious that its target audience is no longer just mums. It has evolved and because of that is a great place to find lots of different points of view.

bruce43mydog · 12/01/2019 11:10

Because mothers don't know everything and advice from other groups is alway useful. I would hate for the world to be catulouged of groups

Ie your not a mother you don't belong to this group.

Ie your a mother you don't belong to a none mother group

We are all individual children or no children we can be part of which ever group we choose that why I am on mum's net 🤔😊

Peanutss · 12/01/2019 11:11

I'm a bit gutted that I seem to have missed out on this fountain of knowledge and well roundedness the universe was supposed to present me with upon taking my vows. Unfortunately I'm still the same clumsy, messy, pretty bog standard person I was before.

ForalltheSaints · 12/01/2019 11:11

I joined to play Mornington Crescent. I am an uncle to four children and work with four people with young children, and find the perspective on parenthood useful, if only to avoid putting my foot in it as it were on issues.

IwantedtobeEmmaPeel · 12/01/2019 11:11

Because we fucking want to. I wish I'd just written this Grin

dottybutterfly · 12/01/2019 11:15

Hate the word childless!!
I joined long before I had my dd ( when I thought I couldn't have children ) my sister had suggested it, it stopped me going on Facebook so much and now gives huge advise and support when needed!

Pinkgin50 · 12/01/2019 11:16

I'm a mum to adult children but I really enjoy reading the style and beauty board as well as the housekeeping one , both areas where childless women are free to contribute

PurpleDaisies · 12/01/2019 11:18

both areas where childless women are free to contribute

Are there areas where childless women aren’t “free to contribute”?

OftenHangry · 12/01/2019 11:20

Because even as a childless woman I can still enjoy CF parking threads. Grin

DontCallMeCharlotte · 12/01/2019 11:21

I go on S&B quite a lot and ironically I have a little huff when someone asks a question about children's clothes Grin

katekat383 · 12/01/2019 11:21

OP:
I think the expression you were grappling for is childfree.

Ultramic · 12/01/2019 11:22

Interesting debate and often much humor, plus amazing support.

This.

JudasPrudy · 12/01/2019 11:23

'I’m glad there’s a variety of posters on here. If definitely not use the site if it was just mums with young kids moaning about P and C spaces and MiLs over and over again.'

Is that all mums of young kids talk about then? Angry

easyandy101 · 12/01/2019 11:23

Cos it's super high traffic. I just love forums, most of them are dead

Schmoobarb · 12/01/2019 11:23

I do have children but when I’ve been googling for information about things, even unrelated to children, mumsnet often comes up.

Plus it’s a very active chat forum and not all posts are about parenting at all so why not.

Peanutss · 12/01/2019 11:24

JudasPrudy I think the point is that it wouldn't be a very interesting forum if every thread revolved around some form of child/parenting related issue.

PurpleDaisies · 12/01/2019 11:24

Childfree = made decision not to have children.
Childless = wanted children but doesn’t have them.

Women without children had no connotations about why.

Peanutss · 12/01/2019 11:25

both areas where childless women are free to contribute

I wish people would engage their brain cells before typing.

artisanscotcheggs · 12/01/2019 11:28

Not having children does not mean people don't want them. Christ. 🙄

...and even if they don't want them, there's lots of folks out there that have them and if their lives interact, there's no harm in seeking information from more experienced folks.