Should "Mumsnet" be renamed?

[Lorrymum]

Just wondering if Im the only one who feels "Mumsnet" should be renamed. It is such a cosy, comforting title which eludes to a safe space. Sadly it really isn't!
Some contributors offer wonderful, kind advice but others are simply looking to pick an argument. It's impossible to start a thread without knowing if you will be the victim of the latter.
Or is it just me?

It doesn’t need to be renamed and there’s no way it would happen anyway. Everyone knows the brand ‘mumsnet’.

If someone doesn’t enjoy it here, I don’t understand why they would stay. It’s just the internet.

It is such a cosy, comforting title which eludes to a safe space. Sadly it really isn't!

It’s a space primarily for mothers/parents to talk to each other. Not for women to act like your kind, wholesome mum.

The scope of the forums is much broader now than when it started as a parenting forum/website (I've only ever used the forums) and while the 'Don't label ME brigade' will rear up at the mere suggestion of being seen as kind 'just because they're a mum', the title does suggest a more supportive vibe than can be found here.

After learning the hard way, I no longer OP about anything emotional or that's upset me. Even on the sub forums. With the possible exception of the mh board I've always ended up feeling worse

Exactly this.

I don't think it should be renamed . That won't change anything.

What I do find sad is when someone makes a thread. Looking for support . And the first few replies are nasty. Not a difference of opinion but actually nasty . Then other people follow suit . The thread becomes pointless and poor op is feeling more shit than they did in the first place. Points can be put across without nastiness. I do feel it's sometimes done on purpose. But people often know how to sail close to the MN talk guidelines. Without actually going over it.

The thing is you never know what response you will get and you can't control what other people say. All you can do is ignore the bids that are not helpful. And just take the bits that do help.

I think on the whole MN is OK. There's much more good than there is bad. But when your going through a hard time. Feel vulnerable and emotional the bad bits magnify

@Shithole101 agree, there is a huge difference between reading an answer you didn’t want, and reading plain rudeness.

And that old favourite, “grow up”. Is there any response lazier and more useless than this?

We don't exist to be your mummy.

the title does suggest a more supportive vibe than can be found here.

It really does depend where you post. Generally, the more niche the board, the more supportive the vibe. AIBU can be a vipers' nest but in fairness you are posting to ask 'am I being unreasonable' so you must be prepared to be told you are.

Sometimes, plain-spoken advice can be more helpful than fluffiness. Mums, or might I say women generally, shouldn't be pigeonholed as everyone's emotional support tool.

Some posters sound quite desperate and unhappy and they are obviously looking for help and support. When you are feeling vulnerable it is very hard to pick your way through the helpful posts and ignore the unkindness and venom that some feel is appropriate to post.

Absolutely the same here, the times I've typed something out and then deleted it because it just isn't worth it. It's almost like competitive sarcasm or just outright meanness.

Some people don't have supportive relationships in real life and needing some solidarity or empathy now and then isn't a weakness. Nor is giving it.

@Lorrymum try posting in the Mental Health forum.

Mmmm things like this. Purposely obtuse.

Mumsnet should change their name to something less cozy and appealing, to publicise how unfriendly it is?😂

I don't think the internet is the place for you, if Mumsnet is too hardcore. There are stupidly debates, the odd bitchy posters, but come onnnn

No let's leave it as it is!

I don't think the internet and social media is the place for help with a person's mental health problems

Isn't that what netmums is for?

I would never ask for parenting advice on here, the number of ops I’ve seen get an absolute kicking when they’re down and asking for help is disgusting. I do wonder what the kind of person who comments like that gets out of sticking the boot in- most not be much else going on in their lives imo

The name's fine. It's just an internet forum that bears no resemblance to most people's everyday lives which is why it's great entertainment fodder.

If you think MN is hardcore, you should see the Reddit thread discussing MN posters!
"Wet lettuce"
"Teeny tiny"
"Never happened"
Now that's VipersNet.

If they wanted it to be nicer there's a simpler option

Delete aibu.

But it will never happen as it's the money maker

I agree it could do with a rebrand. A lot of users are dads or aren't parents at all, it sounds dated.

I think it was originally for advice but not now, best to go for advice on specific forums elsewhere to get a proper reply. It's quite political here which doesn't help and everyone seems to hate men.

I love that it's political and fights back against the misogyny on the rest of the Internet and indeed in real life. Everywhere else we have to "be kind'
" for men. No thanks.

If you want kind, supportive women who conform to your expectations and don't challenge your thinking then Netmums is the place to go. There is no obligation to use any web site.

This one is the place where women (especially, but not exclusively), especially but not exclusively mums, get to drop their mask of conformity and be real and whole and complex people who can express the things that they are worried they'll be judged for and find out whether they have the courage to step towards self-actualisation.

People do get their arses handed to them sometimes, if they are being too selfish, deluded or idiotic then this is something they need for their own good.