I have been reading this site for a while but every time I come to stick my toe in the water something kicks off and it always seems to be same people in the forefront of it

[follderol]

I know that any site has big personalities. But I am finding it difficult to join this place, which I would have liked to be part of, because every time I have time to post between work and children, there seems to be a big argument brewing abot nothing: stuff like changing names and people posting elsewhere.

I think i'm asking whether it is always like this and whether I should just give up

Just avoid the rows, there's always lots of brilliant threads here.

If it is always like this then that's fine I'll go back to BMC and pay my subs again. We have "personalities" there too but I was getting a bit bored of it.

you'll see what you are looking for.do what you want.

You only get those in chat really. I never post on them and rarely read them, but participate in a few of the sections - some of which have very few 'big personalities'

the threads I tend to stick to are very friendly and a lovely group of ladies.

what is BMC?

Thank you Devilwearsprimark - what an excellent name

I can't seem to avoid them because they go pink in active conversations when you click once and then they're always at the top fo the page

IME You only find the fights/arguements etc if you are looking for them. If you stumble across one ignore it, not everyone will be involved in it, go find a better thread.

I havent seen any arguements, other than on the 'am i being unreasonable' threads to be honest.

If you ask for peoples opinions you do tend to get them, good or bad.

Just avoid the threads you dont like.

I am cross-posting, I always do that. BMC is badmothersclub

So avoid chat? Can I block it?

SHit I keep hitting preview instead of post.

Yes, you can configure Active Discussions to not show areas that you aren't interested in

you can hide threads if there is a row on there/ it's not a subject you are interested in.

welcome by the way. Passes over a mug of tea and a hobnob.

Mumsnet is fab the best thing about it is you can have different views on one thread and agree on another don't let it bother you. Your get used to it.

Mumsnet is fab the best thing about it is you can have different views on one thread and agree on another don't let it bother you. Your get used to it.

If it is always like this then that's fine I'll go back to BMC and pay my subs again.

this made me fall about laughing for some reason

yes I am a tightwad

Thank you for the tea and hobnob, my fave

how do I hide threads (sorry), and can I hide individual posters?

Tamarto, I quit Mumsnet for about a year after a lovely, light-hearted thread (yes it was an AIBU) was attacked by someone who not only felt the need to make their point (which was contrary to all previous posters') but when we didn't all immediately change our minds she went on and on saying that we were closed minded snobs who clearly cared more about our social standing than our children etc etc etc. It totally emptied the thread. I felt the need to try to explain where I was coming from in my POV so she then just started calling me names and being really offensive.
I came back recently and the same nasty peice of work did EXACTLY the same thing! I won't be scared off by the bully this time, but it does make MN a less pleasant place to be.
You don't have to go looking for a bully to run into one I'm afraid.

Special needs section has a great crowd, everyone is very supportive and their advice is brilliant. A real life line for me.

Other than that i always find something on here of interest and even funny, lol funny at times.

Take a chill pill

I was getting a bit bored of it

is the funniest bit, you could never tire of mumsnet

And no don't hide chat chat is where the best threads are.

I found the hide thread button [joy]

yes. It's always like this. (I'm not going to try to give her some flannel, folks !)

Scraps, insults and general huffyness guaranteed!

Plus a lot of fun, some good friendships and a lot of intelligent, REALLY funny people.

And a bit more madness - especially around the full moon. No. Seriously. No. really. Why don't you believe me?

There are lots of conversations on every topic you can think of, so there's always something to interest you. If you are just looking at active convos, have you tried looking at the talk board and finding some topics that way?

Welcome to MN by the way. It is what it is, don't think so much about it, let it all flow past you....

I feel like I should burn incense or something.

sorry to hear that bubbaluv

oh no you don't want to avoid individual posters.

One of the fabulous things about MN is that you can be throwing bricks at someone in one thread, and be laughing and joking and agreeing with them on another - simultaneously