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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If you don’t have/had/want children why are you here?

170 replies

Robin198 · 12/07/2022 17:34

I’m aware the title sounds quite nippy and I don’t mean it to. Having read a post from a person considering cutting off friends since they’ve had kids it genuinely made me wonder…if you don’t have or have had or want or even like children what attracted you to a forum where the main users are all of the above?

Am I being unreasonable to assume that users of MN have/had/want/like children?

OP posts:
FortonServices · 12/07/2022 17:52

DisplayPurposesOnly · 12/07/2022 17:37

I googled 'how to clean poo from carpet' and ended up here.

😂

yummyscummymummy01 · 12/07/2022 17:54

I came on here for DIY tips, realised I needed a kid to fit in so had one. Now get fuck all DIY done. Bloody disaster to be honest.

Fairislefandango · 12/07/2022 17:54

YABVU. I joined MN because I'd had a baby and thought it was (just) a parenting website and might be useful. But I have rarely used it for anything remotely to do with parenting. Most of the MN boards have nothing whatsoever to do with parenting.

Essentially it's a social site with a vast range of (mostly) women, any of whom you might have lots or very little in common. It's great for chatting about almost any topic and for educating you about a number of things (and about the lives of people very different from you).

Your question has been asked gazillions of times on MN, mostly by posters with some kind of chip on their shoulder or axe to grind.

FortonServices · 12/07/2022 17:54

Are you a "full time Mumma" OP?

oneofusgobble · 12/07/2022 17:54

Ugh. This again.

I came here via the feminism and litter tray.

Fairislefandango · 12/07/2022 17:55

Are you a "full time Mumma" OP?

Grin Seems likely.

Stuffin · 12/07/2022 17:55

Your question has been asked gazillions of times on MN, mostly by posters with some kind of chip on their shoulder or axe to grind.

This.

It's usually asked because they think this site is for parents only and somehow the discussions and opinions of non parents are inferior to theirs,

learieonthewildmoor · 12/07/2022 17:56

Because where else is there a board with hundreds of women on it? It’s fantastic.

opalescent · 12/07/2022 17:56

I've been here years and never seen a thread on this before. Some of us nip in a few times a week, and therefore don't see the threads that get repeated.
I've often wondered the same OP, again, not in a remotely snippy way. Genuinely idly curious about how people find their way to Mumsnet. I think it's a good question.

Bubblebubblebah · 12/07/2022 17:56

What makes people think "oooh, I bet in history of MN no one thought about this question" every 2 weeks?

Wtart discussing only children and we will bugger off😁

Weirdwonders · 12/07/2022 17:56

Because I doubt there’ll be many threads about the pros and cons of parenting on Pistonheads UK FFS. Can you imagine that being child free is an ongoing internal discussion for some people, not a binary state of mind?

KyaClark · 12/07/2022 17:57

DisplayPurposesOnly · 12/07/2022 17:37

I googled 'how to clean poo from carpet' and ended up here.

If you don't have kids, who the hell took a shit on your carpet?!

ShirleyPhallus · 12/07/2022 17:57

Am I being unreasonable to assume that users of MN have/had/want/like children?

I’ve had children but I don’t like them, am I allowed here?

Bloodybridget · 12/07/2022 17:57

My life is so boring and pointless, being childless, that I have to spend hours online every day.

PurpleDaisies · 12/07/2022 17:57

ShirleyPhallus · 12/07/2022 17:57

Am I being unreasonable to assume that users of MN have/had/want/like children?

I’ve had children but I don’t like them, am I allowed here?

What’s your view on loo brushes?

Original poster
Robin198 · 12/07/2022 17:58

Ok, so I’ve noted from this…
the forum has a search function (I’ll use it next time) and what was a genuine marketing related question really ruffled some feathers. Sorry if you felt strongly about it, I was curious and asked a question.

OP posts:
traintraveller · 12/07/2022 17:58

I see more threads about mother in laws and husbands than I do about children. I thought seeing as I've got both of those I may as well hang about. That OK with you OP?

Original poster
Robin198 · 12/07/2022 17:59

😂this made me laugh. Don’t always like my own!

OP posts:
wheresmyradio · 12/07/2022 18:00

Sorry @Robin198 just pisses us off.
I have no kids, not by choice.
But there's so much more on these boards Daffodil

dontyouwishyourgirlfriendwas · 12/07/2022 18:00

I just find it interesting to be honest. I enjoy the education forums (about to do a degree in Education Studies), the feminism board, the TV board, chat and of course AIBU. I’m also a nanny so I do have an interest in kids generally. I think as long as people are respectful on here it doesn’t really matter if they don’t have / want children.

Original poster
Robin198 · 12/07/2022 18:01

Thank you! I should maybe have phrased the question “what attracted you to this particular forum”?

OP posts:
Matterti · 12/07/2022 18:01

Doghouse. Mums or not, those people have saved me several times. Nothing else like it!

LeniGray · 12/07/2022 18:01

I joined to keep track of the threads and post in the Feminism sections, and I quite like the book chat section too. I have zero interest in getting pregnant/being pregnant/giving birth, and all the post-birth joys and traumas that arise. If I promise not to read any of those threads, can I stay? 🫣

Bloodybridget · 12/07/2022 18:01

Or, more honestly: I have had lots of children in my life, from my early 20s. Via DP i now have three grandchildren. I do like children, in general. I am interested in debates around parenting, as well as the hundreds of non-parenting-related topics on MN.