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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To start some sort of Mumsnet Skill Swap Club?

14 replies

TeachMeToPlayChess · 23/03/2020 23:39

So it seems we’re all going to be spending a fair bit of time at home for the foreseeable.

Some of us may find this a tad boring. And lonely.

And it occurred to me that there may be an opportunity here for us to take advantage of the MN community to learn something new, or share a skill that we already have.

For example, I would like to learn how to play chess. Is there a lovely kind MN Grandmaster who, via the medium of PM initially, would be willing to take the time to teach me to play chess?

Or perhaps you’re a kick-ass knitter and would be happy to teach a fellow mn-er who would like to learn but thinks purl is a kind of barley?

I know everyone could just turn to good old YouTube for this sort of thing but the idea isn’t just to learn or teach something but to encourage connections and communications with the world beyond our own walls. Maybe make some friends in the process.

So if you’re up for it, just share on the thread something you’d like to learn or something you could teach, and if there’s a match, hey presto! It’s like speed dating without the leg shaving and inevitable disappointment Grin

OP posts:
TheLowry · 23/03/2020 23:53

It's a great idea, but most of us are just sitting here thinking:
"fuck - how do I pay the mortgage?".
"buy food without an income?"
"Check my 80 year old mum is ok?"

I'll come back to you on the knitting lessons.

TeachMeToPlayChess · 23/03/2020 23:59

Sad it was only an idea.

OP posts:
Startoftheyear2020 · 24/03/2020 00:13

It's a lovely idea 🌷

n00bMaster69 · 24/03/2020 00:19

I can play chess, do you know how to play Cluedo junior? It's been a year and I still can't figure out the fucking rulesAngry

PorpentinaScamander · 24/03/2020 00:20

I think it's a lovely idea.

I can crochet if anyone wants to learn. No idea how good of a teacher I'd be, but I'm entirely self taught Smile

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 24/03/2020 10:38

Fantastic idea!!

This is JUST the time we need this...

We need distraction from the worries and to remind ourselves that there is fun to be had...

A lot better for our mental health than just working ourselves into balls of anxiety...which makes us feel rubbish and buggers up our immune system

I'm jot minimising worries.. Just make sure worry is turned into useful action for you and those you love...

annamie · 24/03/2020 10:58

@TheLowry 🙄 can you not speak for ‘most people’ please? You do you and I’ll do me.

This is a great idea, OP.

ADreamOfGood · 24/03/2020 11:04

Go onto chess.com and do their lessons! Or for your children chess kids.com
There's no charge for the basics from either, and there'll be lots of people to test your new skills on.

GenuineKlatchianPottery · 24/03/2020 11:04

Lovely idea. I’m a hairdresser so can give tips on how to do basic trims.

TheWoollybacksWife · 24/03/2020 11:10

Genuine that would be fabulous. DH and I both had our regular trims fairly recently and my DDs have long hair but DS usually gets a trim every half term in the holidays so ANY advice on how to tidy him up without making him look like I've used a pyrex bowl as a guide would be brilliant. I was considering Youtube as a teacher.

ByGrabtharsHammerWhatASavings · 24/03/2020 11:14

Thanks for starting this thread OP, it's a great idea.

I've been teaching myself the skills to try and start a career in web development over the last year. I've never done a paying job or professional work for a client, but I think my skill level is reasonably high now. So if anyone is trying to move their business online and doesn't have the money to pay someone professional I will happily do my best to build you a basic website or customise your shopify theme for you for free. It'd help me as much as you as I can start building a portfolio of work to one day get paying clients. Send me a Pm if I can help :)

TheDogsMother · 24/03/2020 11:20

Lovely idea OP. I'm a recruiter so I could help with some CV writing advice if anyone needs it ?

tentative3 · 24/03/2020 12:27

Great idea! I can't immediately think of anything I can contribute though... things I've been toying with the idea of learning are coding and sign language. I've also got a small sewing project to investigate.

stormsurfer · 24/03/2020 13:57

Great idea! Don't think I've got any skills to offer, but watching with interest.

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