Why do childless people join Mumsnet?

[Sammysees]

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?

It often comes up in google searches about innocuous topics, and then you get to reading other threads and like it.

im well rounded around the waist

and no i dont have kids my choice-this board is funny sad helpful all sorts when i need to relax i read it

I found mumsnet through the Stately Homes thread and now just enjoy reading many of the different sections. I actually do browse the parenting sections sometimes. I have no children (by choice) and no close connections with any children so am mildly curious about life as a parent and enjoy reading about the highs and lows of a life that is quite alien to me.

endlessly fascinating, funny

It can be truly hilarious, especially the attitude that no-one else ever had a baby and if this week's trendy 'advice' is that your newborn should sleep in a hammock slung from a tree in the garden there will be those who will religiously follow it! Do parents never simply follow their instincts and think 'how hard can this be?', it's been done for years.
Remember the current wonder-advice may be demonised in ten or twenty years time, all our children slept on their fronts for example!

I’m not a mum - not by design. I work with children, though. I think the mum sent boards have a great range of topics and opinions.

I've been on here some years and manage to waste more time on here than I should, and as pp say this questions crops up all the time.

I joined because I heard something on a tv programme that mentioned MN, totally non-child related, and I thought I'd have a look to see what they were talking about.

I am a mother but my DCs are all in their 30s so does that disqualify me according to your rules for membership OP? As my DCs are no longer children should I just bugger off.

Have you not looked at all the different boards available to you, many of them make no reference to children at all.

I like to pop into pedants' corner from time to time; don't think I've ever seen children mentioned on there, and I regularly read and post in the dog house and the only time children get a mention on there is in relation to dogs. And of course this board, in which a large percentage of the threads that I read don't mention children either.

I'm sure it's a great relief to all the childless MN members that you are 'not saying that they shouldn't join'.

Oh this again.

I came when ttcing, stayed through my IVF and then for the miscarriage support.

I am a woman. I am not defined by my ability to have children, I am defined by the treatment I get from society and the physical factors that make me a woman. I like having a female dominated space, they are rare online.
There is no need to have children to discuss feminism, female health, property, cat ownership, parking, films, books, tv and the other subjects that make up MN.

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.

Bollocks. I’ve been a mother and a wife ages and I’m a complete bastard most of the time.

@BejamNostalgia hahahhha

I joined because I had moved in with my dp and his two children and I desperately needed some advice and support from people who got it.
I've stayed because I like the Step parent community on here and also AIBU is hilarious.

Because I came across the epic saga of Spangran and the Patio Doors of CFery.

I like to think that my experience with infertility and widowhood, as well as, you know, just growing up has made me a well rounded individual.

And yes, childless/childfree people are proper grown ups too.

I joined when I'd moved into a house that didn't have broadband, and I wanted something to look at on my phone that wouldn't eat much phone data, so nothing image-heavy like FB or Instagram. Googled good forums to read, came across Mumsnet Classics and I've been here ever since. I use certain boards to help me fall asleep not telling which ones

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

What a load of bollocks.

I've been a mother for nearly 40 years and was a wife for 20 of those. Neither of those facts cause me to be a 'well rounded individual'.

I like to think I'm a fairly well rounded person, and I hope I am. I've read a lot of very good, and not so good, literature, I inform myself about current affairs and try to keep abreast of what's going on in the world, I keep an open mind and, hopefully, think critically am liberal and open to new ideas.

None of these things has any bearing on the fact that I'm a mother, nor does the fact that I'm a mother have any bearing on these things.

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.

Wipes tears of laughter away from eyes. I don't know what you're on but I want some

bejam i love you

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

Oh man, I don't know where to start replying to that comment !

I joined when I thought I was going to be a mum but I'm not anymore. I didn't consider that I'd have to revoke my membership. I'm pretty well rounded most of the time

I mean it's probably true. I'm neither wife nor mother and never have been or will be and I'm very limited in both character and outlook.

Not this stupid question again!

Here we go again.

Because there's lot on here that you don't have to be a parent to find it relatable and relevant. Or is this another instance of us barren losers not being fit to breathe the same air as mums?

@Sammysees
Well your opinion is pretty obvious from your original post .
Why should you care anyway ?
However , seeing as you asked :
Like @Sparklingbrook and @PregnantSea , I found that I googled stuff and it always brought me to Mumsnet with an answer. ( Building projects , kitchen appliances , parent's health issues ...) Then I found it was quite fun and interesting.
There are lots of people on here, female , male , childless , trans, LBGTQ , and people who have children , who are knowledgable about so many things , write eloquently , have a great sense of humour , and are very helpful to people regardless of who
they say they are.

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

Curiously, I never hear the term 'childfree' in that context anywhere in RL, the only place I see it is on Mumsnet. IME, 'child free' refers to time parents manage to spend away from their children. (Very much needed )

That definitely demonstrates how popular this site is for those who don't have children; I wish I'd known about it before we adopted our DDs.

Just because i don't have any children doesn't mean I don't go through similar experiences or have been through them.

I live abroad with a very small circle of fellow expats and sometimes it's nice not to feel alone

I apologise if I've upset anyone, I meant as an example, they were areas where anyone could contribute, as are, of course, all boards and discussions on mumsnet .