If you don't have or want children, why are you here?

[pepsicolagirl]

Disclaimer: I do not mean this in a rude way. I just couldn't think of a better way to phrase it.

I have seen a few messages across the mumsnet forums from women who are happily child free which is great and of course there is nothing wrong with at all.

But it always makes me wonder why you would be a member of a website called mumsnet if you are not and have no wish to be a mum?
So, if this is you, do you mind me asking why?

Oh good, haven't had one of these posts for about 3 days.

why you would be a member of a website called mumsnet if you are not and have no wish to be a mum?

Do you only talk about parenting stuff here?

Perhaps you should look at all the boards which discuss a wide range of topics which don’t include children, and then make an educated guess.

It could be "Ieatmybogiesinthesupermarket.com" for all I care.

Lots of interesting threads and topics to make me think, laugh and - sometimes - cry.

Maybe you don't mean it in a rude way, but it does come across that way!

Yeah I suppose, I don't just talk about parenting stuff here but ultimately that's what led me here iykwim?

@pepsicolagirl - there are so many different and wide ranging topics on MN, and the discussions here are usually intelligent, wise and witty - I can see why that would appeal to people without children.

I’d also guess that the wide ranging nature of the topics discussed may mean that MN comes up when people google these things - that may be one way people get here - and once here, we have them hooked - mwah ha ha ha ha!

@MMMarmite

Maybe you don't mean it in a rude way, but it does come across that way!

I genuinely didn't mean it rudely but I can see how it reads

Just because it's called "mumsnet" doesn't mean every conversation is based around being a mum and having children

I would use Mumsnet all the time before I had kids as it's a really useful place for general advice and information!

I'm here to make sure I don't miss this exact same thread every other week

Yeah I suppose, I don't just talk about parenting stuff here but ultimately that's what led me here iykwim?

Well maybe other people have more imagination than you?

Because AIBU and threads like this are my guilty pleasure.

It’s a fair question OP!

I think it’s probably because it’s an active and engaging forum with lots of debate, but there may be other reasons I’m not aware of!

I like it when non parents comment on parenting threads, esp ones where the OP is having a moan about how shit it is, and they are sympathetic. It's healthy for society to have a range of comments.

@suckingonchillidogs

I'm here to make sure I don't miss this exact same thread every other week

then I am glad to have helped..

I initially came here to ask questions about my cat in the litterbox forum and then became addicted to the AIBU threads, most of which are unrelated to parenting. You don’t have to be a parent to relate to disputes over parking or issues with neighbours, colleagues, extended family etc. I’m also a teacher and have found the staff room thread and SEN boards relevant and enjoy talking about TV shows on the telly addicts threads. I don’t frequent boards like pregnancy, parenting etc but a huge proportion of the other boards are not really related to being a parent.

I think what the OP means is what attracted you to the site in the first place. Which is a perfectly valid question to wonder about.
@Wafflewombat the OP isn’t othering you for being childless and hasn’t mentioned neurodivergence at all?

Funnily enough because not all of the threads are about children.

@BillyIsMyBunny

I initially came here to ask questions about my cat in the litterbox forum and then became addicted to the AIBU threads, most of which are unrelated to parenting. You don’t have to be a parent to relate to disputes over parking or issues with neighbours, colleagues, extended family etc. I’m also a teacher and have found the staff room thread and SEN boards relevant and enjoy talking about TV shows on the telly addicts threads. I don’t frequent boards like pregnancy, parenting etc but a huge proportion of the other boards are not really related to being a parent.

There we go. A perfectly valid and reasonable reply. The aggression and rudeness isn’t necessary. Many people are new to mumsnet and can’t help asking questions others already have.

because you don't need to have a child to be judgmental and feel your opinion and views are remotely interesting and important.

If you Google ANYTHING a mumsnet post will come up about it. I came for the (non child related) advice, stayed for the LOLs

Entertainment value I should think.

@OwlBeThere

I think what the OP means is what attracted you to the site in the first place. Which is a perfectly valid question to wonder about. *@Wafflewombat* the OP isn’t othering you for being childless and hasn’t mentioned neurodivergence at all?

Thank you for understanding

I'm a parent, but arrived on Mumsnet when googling something entirely unparenty (can't remember what). Mumsnet discussions come up quite often on my google searches!