to expect some old timers of MN to be twirling & scuttling around still

[wizzofwotz]

Haven't been here for probably 15+ years. Went absent, never dipped back in . But today something made me think of the MN support, the laughs, life's highs & lows shared when insomnia kicked after my little DDs were tucked up in bed.

DDs are grown and flown the nest. On reflection it was time well spent. Even the cliquey and other shitty bits. Hope you all keep twirling and scuttling around. If you're new keep with it, it will all pan out.

I prefer it now. Fewer Sloane Rangers and in-group out-group mentality. And yes, I’m afraid the price for diversity is more muggles. Which means it’s a bit rougher and no jolly hockey sticks and hilarious boarding school vernacular. That suits me.

Genuine question as someone who has young children so wasn’t around “back in the day” - how on earth did posters “rule the roost” or there been an “in crowd” on a forum? Genuinely trying to imagine how that would have worked?!

I have been on here 18 years as I needed help with breastfeeding Ds2. He has just finished his A levels. There have been a lot of changes but I tend to avoid AIBU because it just seems to feature the absolute worst of people on there. I name change a lot but try to post helpful comments where I can. I agree it used to be incredibly funny, less so now.

More than 2 decades and it's definitely not the supportive place it was.

It's HUGE now and seems to be infiltrated with posters that have agendas.

I feel like you could honestly read every new thread on an evening. It was so small, we didn't have a million different boards dividing it all down. There were also in real life meets up in London, people had their photos on their profile pages and you had to pay a annual fee to direct message anyone.

It's not fun when you get accused of bullying for eye rolling at yet another will my child get food poisoning from touching a raw chicken packet

where's the common sense gone

Occasionally someone will link a really old thread (like over 10 years old) and the difference is massive, just felt smaller and cosier and less manic.

Went away a decade or more ago, came back recently (DS17). I still value this space and think it’s a miracle it’s survived really. Agree it’s not as entertaining- it used to be really laugh out funny. But there are still really good discussions. I don’t tend to name change, but I stay out of the worst bun fights (apart from the occasionnal FWR where I will
nail my GC colours to the mast). Some if it makes me feel old(er) and maybe wiser?

I’ve been here for twenty years, not a prolific poster at all. There used to be plenty of belly laughs, some really witty and hilarious posters. But some nastiness too.

It’s a lot less funny now and people are so quick to jump on others - but I can’t keep away!

Been here close to 20 years. MN has changed but so has society's use of social media.

We have changed as well. We are older, in some cases more opinionated.
Sometimes, in long time posters, I see aggressiveness and yes even a touch of nastiness. Some take the words keyboard warriors too seriously and " call to arms" other posters to help them in a thread.

Instead of being witty, people want to be right and if challenged in their absolute true opinion, they will jump on Advanced Search to investigate other users.

This is so fascinating from an anthropological point of view and still offers entertainment, even if not the intended one

You roll with the changes and if you get no enjoyment anymore, find somewhere else! I still love mumsnet, the good and the bad.

I’ve been here ten years, obviously nothing compared to some. I still enjoy it. People have been moaning about it being “different now” since I joined.

It took the form of the "in" posters addressing each other but ignoring others on a thread. That element was a bit cringey at times.

It was much smaller then. I was an infrequent poster but there were a lot more recognisable names. True what others have said about a lack of Internet awareness at the time! But it was nice to see regulars and despite the jolly hockey sticks vibe it was a genuinely supportive place and it's true that there were a lot more hilarious threads than now!

*not because I joined, I don’t think anyone noticed that

😆😆

I've been knocking about for 14 years or so, but get less involved these days.

I spent many an evening chatting or enjoying a "wind up" thread, but now it seems that anything vaguely amusing is deleted, or people pile on to savage the OP and not in a witty or funny way. I mean "cutted up pear" would be jumped on as being offensive to those misfortune enough to not own knives or some other nonsense.

There is also a sense of humour bypass with shooting down anything absurd, and yes we we knew people were being silly and slightly exegerating but it was all in good spirits. Now everyone shouts "Troll!" and the thread dies a death.

Crikey I didn't realise what a dry and humourless place this has become!

I've been trying for so so long to recall the name of a poster that was around many moons ago- and you've reminded me it was Reality, thank you.
She had such a lot going on and I I remember her grit and determination. Also a few occasions where various mumsnetters physically travelled to her home to lend a hand. It was really inspiring.

I also fondly remember L Queen, and a few of the wise and wonderful posters who could be found regularly on the relationships boards.

Been here 15 years, MN saved me in those early days of DD1. Had a hiatus of a few yrs and recently returned, it is definitely a different place, with advantages and disadvantages.

I agree with you. When I joined- probably about 20 years ago it was a much kinder place with a sense of community. Don't get me wrong many many posters did not hold back but their intentions were generally kinder.

I remember posting asking for help to wean DS off his dummy. Loads and loads of posters just told me not to bother, to give myself a break and ignore judgement from my in laws. God almighty it was such a relief to get wise kind advice. I'd probably be torn to shreds if I posted that now.

I’ve been here 18 years and it’s so different now. Some ways it’s better but definitely feels worse in others. I don’t remember the last time I cry laughed at a thread!

I think so many people that have been here a fair while have learnt it’s best to keep name changing so there’s just not that connection we used to get when we'd recognise usernames and life stories/events.

Much less yoni around now than when I joined.

The big gear change was when you had to put a trigger warning alerting that a thread was lighthearted It's never recovered. Occasionally you get a thread where posters roll off into daft, silly tangents and it reminds me of my early days when such frivolity was abundant. We can't afford such whimsy now there's a CoL Crisis to be shoe horned in (or any other crisis, there's plenty of problems to prioritise)

MN used to be so clever and funny, but sometimes I read something and realise that it still can be sometimes.

I don't think worries around security and therefore regular name changing has helped.

It's a very different beast these days and not in a good way.

cutted up pear ..... I've never laughed so much. 😂

Any post deemed a troll is reported 🙄 even the harmless ones.

Because forums of old were much more community centred and often involved knowing people IRL to an extent as well.

That also moderates how people behave to each other. MN now, like most other forums, is used by people who don't want to be identified, which isn't the standard on the internet anymore