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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask the outcome of taking advice on Mumsnet

143 replies

Scentsandsensible · 21/09/2019 12:47

By its very nature, MN is a place that people come to seek advice. However looking on boards (am mainly talking AIBU as opposed to specific topics), I've seen some absolutely shocking and uninformed advice, among some absolute gems.

So aibu to ask - have you ever specifically taken advice from the wisom of MN and what was the outcome?

OP posts:
BathTangle · 21/09/2019 14:32

MN gave me the tools to recognise the emotional abuse in a friend's marriage and help her to leave. She and her DC are now so much happier, thank you lovely vipers.

LuciaLuciaLucia · 21/09/2019 14:33

Does anyone remember the thread about distressed baby where someone advised to check his fingers/toes for hair tied around it?
Crazy as it sounds that was the case.

OkayGo · 21/09/2019 14:35

I had some wonderful support and advice on a weight loss chat when I had lost all hope and was in such a hole. I’m now nearly 2 stone down and still going.

Ringdonna · 21/09/2019 14:40

Never, most of it is bullshit.

Fluffycloudland77 · 21/09/2019 14:43

I got a robo hoover, a spray mop & broke my dw tablets in half. I hired green thumb for the lawn too but it’s too soon to tell if that’s worked, they only came out on Monday.

Pulipatchouli · 21/09/2019 14:50

Excellent advice on Mirena, menopause, Hoovers (bought a shark due to Mumsnet) and sex tips from the sex board, for info and amusement.
AIBU can be a bit Wild West though.

EndoftheWorlds · 21/09/2019 14:50

I never get why people purport to be "experts" (e.g lawyer, HR etc) when they clearly aren't. What's the reason?

Years ago I had an expert tell me that I was wrong. In response to a question I had spent a long time explaining the legal requirements behind it etc only for someone to say- no you are wrong I work in xx and then a whole load of others piled in.

I had written the bloody guidance they were discussing!

Still makes me laugh.

Shortfeet · 21/09/2019 14:52

I was repeatedly advised to leave my difficult relationship.
I did.

I deeply regret splitting up my family.

Please beware of the relationship boards , where LTB is the default advice.

Biggie123 · 21/09/2019 14:52

I had hit a crisis point with breastfeeding and I was in a total panic that my baby wasn’t getting enough milk etc and I was about to give up. Three women wrote me such supportive, cheering advice and it was the thing that got me
Through that low. A year later I am still breastfeeding. Feel very very grateful.

PennyNotSoWise · 21/09/2019 15:03

I never get why people purport to be "experts" (e.g lawyer, HR etc) when they clearly aren't. What's the reason?

I've noticed this a lot on here as well, it's weird when their post is full of really bad grammar. I'm not a grammar Nazi or anything like that, and don't judge it usually because my own is probably not great, but surely you don't get to positions like that if you can't do basic English. Lots of your instead of you're, they're not their, and the God awful "could of" "should of". Surely a lawyer is better educated than that? If not, I shudder to think how unprofessional their letters must sound.

(I'm not doubting there are any lawyers on here, I just doubt some of the ones that claim to be.)

fabtasticmrpox · 21/09/2019 15:05

I decided not to get a high sleeper bed for dd, proved right as many friends have ditched theirs in favour of a double.

Off to google shark vacuum 😊

Original poster
Scentsandsensible · 21/09/2019 15:06

Oh @Shortfeet I feel for you xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Scentsandsensible · 21/09/2019 15:07

@Fluffycloudland77 hold on.... what’s this about splitting dishwasher tablets?

OP posts:
chipsandgin · 21/09/2019 15:10

I now put my superking duvet cover on correctly - no more flappy sides. Was excellent advice!

GreatBigNoise · 21/09/2019 15:13

Footner. 😁

Catkin8 · 21/09/2019 15:19

@chipsandgin I'm intrigued, how do you put it on incorrectly?!

BarbaraStrozzi · 21/09/2019 15:24

How to reverse park, the fact that cling film has little push in tabs to stop the roll falling out of the box, vinegar in the prewash for smelly t-shirts.

I don't have a B to L, so haven't ever been offered that advice. Agree with a PP that the education boards are a bit hit and miss. (Inevitably so - you get parents who naturally want the best for their own child, coming up against teachers whose job it is to do the most reasonable job they can balancing the needs of 30 kids, and often all that happens is both sides get defensive).

Usually on any sane thread there's a huge range of opinions; discount the clearly crazy outliers, and most of the stuff somewhere in the middle will be quite helpful.

FrogsSpawnofSanta · 21/09/2019 15:30

I'm another one who bought a Shark hoover based on Mumsnet recommendations and I love it. I have now recommended it on several threads.

BuildBuildings · 21/09/2019 15:32

At times its made me think people are the worst. But then I have felt supported too. Also I feel from posts in general not just my posts I'm more aware of looking after myself as I'm sometimes a bit of a yes person.

BuildBuildings · 21/09/2019 15:33

Yes @chipsandgin please tell us!!!

Onescaredmuma · 21/09/2019 15:40

I've had some good advice I'm now still happily breastfeeding my nearly 2 year old after some lovely advice from some lovely ladies on here. They also made me feel alot better about his diet as he's had some health problems and turned into a seriously picky eater.

LellyMcKelly · 21/09/2019 15:42

I’m another who bought a Shark cordless after reading a thread and it basically sucked up my whole house in 10 minutes and has really helped my son’s dust allergies.

sodrained · 21/09/2019 15:45

I suffered so bad with my thoughts and anxiety and just generally being fucked off with my life, a lot of posters said to me to try CBT, also what vitamins I can take to help me feel more anxious I never knew Magnesium for one helped with anxiety. It really helped it was around a year ago now I posted under a different name. And I still use some of the tips now and it did help me change my life for the better. I never knew how normal intrusive thoughts was I just assumed I had something wrong with me.

FreyaMountstuart · 21/09/2019 15:49

10 years ago I found hope when things look bleak regarding my DS - thank you!

On a lighter note I’ve become very tidy! Followed the advice to start small (making my bed as soon as I get up and built up from there!) - again thank you!

PumpityPumpPump · 21/09/2019 15:52

I had some brilliant advice when I posted about failing in my role after maternity leave.

Someone said that I need to not see it as a social occasion. I was so grateful to have people to talk too that had become my main focus at work, the companionship. They recommended that I spend time outside work on a hobby or speaking to people. This would help me use work time to work and not just chat.

It has definitely helped.

Someone also gave me a wake up call and said to work out what you would loose if you were sacked. Money, flexibility, holidays. This is now also in my head. 😀