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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
Parthenope · 12/01/2019 14:33

I have a child and never read any of the parenting stuff. I don’t have a horse or the slightest interest in having one, or riding lessons, yet I follow with total fascination the Tack Room’s tales of horse dealer skulduggery, cob buying, half-livery and methods of euthanising old or very unwell horses. I am not an adopter or adoptee, nor the birth mother of an adopted child, but read the (genuinely inspiring) Adoption board. Not religious, gullible or a believer in the supernatural, but read Religion and Spirituality’s threads on C of E discernment, dud psychics, hauntings which are obviously not, and feathers that are really someone’s dead granny giving a sign.

tiggerkid · 12/01/2019 14:34

AIBU thread is a classic regardless of whether you have children or not :)

loubluee · 12/01/2019 14:40

I’ve answered threads from:-
Women with children
Men with children
Childless men
Childless women
Young adults who want a ‘parent perspective to a problem’

I have never once questioned why they are on here.
As far as I’m concerned ‘ALL’ are welcome on here.
I enjoy talking to everyone on threads, and I never wonder who a person is:- are they male, female, do they have children, their sexual orientation or ethnicity.
As far as I’m concerned they are just another mumsnetter!

SillyLittleBiscuit · 12/01/2019 14:42

Original threads like this are what keeps me logging on.

ChesterGreySideboard · 12/01/2019 15:33

I am not a childless woman. I am a woman who happens to not have children. My maternal status doesn’t define me.

I have only ever heard of women being referred to as childless, never men.

nannynick · 12/01/2019 15:39

Back in 2005 Mumsnet was the best UK based parenting board, so it was a natural place to look for answers to questions about caring for children. The childminder discussion board also covered nannies, so I made it my home as it enabled me to chat with other people working with children, be they nannies or childminders.

Mumsnet has remained a place where the childcare discussion boards are a popular place for questions about childcare in general and also specifically from nannies and parents looking to employ a nanny.

NoArmaniNoPunani · 12/01/2019 15:42

I was childless when I joined 11 years ago. At the time I was single and considering having a baby with a gay male friend. Instead I waited, met my husband and had a son. Then my husband died. Mumsnet has seen me through a lot of change

BiteyShark · 12/01/2019 15:44

I have a dog. I think that means I can post on the doghouse or is it only for mums of humans and dogs?

Am I allowed to talk to mums in real life? Or do I have to be a mum to do that as well?

The majority of topics are nothing to do about parenting. I certainly wouldn't comment on a baby sleeping or breastfeeding thread but given that there are only a few of those I can happily spend me childfree time being entertained on all the others.

Cornettoninja · 12/01/2019 15:48

Well I had a mum so figured that’d be enough for the bouncers to let me in.

Have the rules changed? I mean I’ve got dd now but that’s only the last few years.

RepeatS1gnal · 12/01/2019 15:49

Would you say that about any other site ? Everyone is someone's child...

GlitterPixie · 12/01/2019 15:59

I found this site when googling various things over the years and find it very useful. I don’t particularly like children and never read the parenting or ‘child-y’ threads but I love this site

Feb2018mumma · 12/01/2019 16:02

I thought that when a woman earlier was on here bad mouthing people who choose to become mother's and saying she will never have children! Was scared to say anything though as didn't want an argument!

Lizzie48 · 12/01/2019 16:05

I have only ever heard of women being referred to as childless, never men.

I have thought this myself. The question shouldn't be 'childless' vs 'childfree' but why have labels at all??

kissmewherethesundontshine · 12/01/2019 16:09

I joined before I had children as I read a very funny thread that had been published in the national press...I don't use it much for posting (I now have children who keep me too busy!) but I love having a scroll in the evenings Smile

nocoolnamesleft · 12/01/2019 16:16

I don't have children, but work with them. I lurked for years, on and off, after falling down a wormhole. Late one night, I was online to help stay alert, waiting for some blood results to come through. A mother posted about her baby, who from her description was much much sicker than any of the children on my ward, and needed 999 now. Happily, by the time I'd bloody persuaded Mumsnet system to let me create an identity, she had heeded the warning of other posters. But...once you can post, it sucks you in even more...

WiddlinDiddlin · 12/01/2019 16:41

Different demographic to where I am normally posting/chatting.

I also sometimes have kid based questions as I am a sort-of-aunty to a 2 year old now.

Also, de shits and de giggles.

Also sometimes its like the mummy based online version of lord of the flies here and that amuses the shit out of me.

WiddlinDiddlin · 12/01/2019 16:41

Oh and sometimes I pinch funny ideas and put them in a cartoon strip...

But not often, not like the daily mail journos... will burn in hell

MarieMorgan · 12/01/2019 17:09

I get that there are lots of interesting posts on mumsnet for those with and without dc. What I don't understand are people who come to a site called mumsnet to post a thread like the one posted today which says they think people who have kids are mad.

BiteyShark · 12/01/2019 17:21

MarieMorgan people post threads like that often for a bun fight. You get trolls and posters being aggressive because it's anonymous and they can. Don't tar all childless people the same. I may not want children and the thought of having my own is frightening but I wouldn't start a thread like that. It's obvious just from the title it would be goady just like lots of threads that pop up on here.

Squirrelblanket · 12/01/2019 17:34

I joined because it's a lively and active forum. The majority of threads on here are not about parenting. Sorry, being a 'mum'.

Also, it's childFREE.

katseyes7 · 12/01/2019 17:36

l miscarried both of my babies. Would you like me to leave?

Crinkle77 · 12/01/2019 17:38

I can't really remember but I stumbled upon AIBU somehow. Can't remember how exactly but was hooked and the rest is history.

Ironingboard · 12/01/2019 17:41

Most of the threads aren’t even about kids. I found out about Mumsnet on the daily mail and some of the chats on here are either inspiring, educational or downright hilarious!
My boyfriend does think I’m weird for being on here because I’m not a mum but I’m a stepmum so I’m counting myself in and I’m basically addicted.
It’s also really interesting just reading so many peoples stories.

WaterOffaDucksCrack · 12/01/2019 17:44

I've got kids but come on here for non child related things mostly!

Some of the best parenting advice I've had irl has been from childfree people.

Shootfirstaskquestionslater · 12/01/2019 17:53

I’m not a mum yet but I am an Aunty I come here years ago to ask for advice on something and just stuck around mumsnet has been really helpful to me when I’ve needed advice on loads of things that aren’t linked to kids including when I needed advice on my cats. Should I leave because am not a mum yet.