to not understand why people who don't have dcs post on MN?

[starwhores]

Unless, of course, they're trying. Otherwise why would you?

I find it odd too.

Do you realise that we were all people before we were parents and continue to be people after we have kids. Surely that is all you need to have in common with anyone to have a conversation?

I don't see how having kids means that you can give a more effective opinion on how fabulous 'fly' London boots are or what your fav thing to eat is (my current areas of interest)? Does it matter that there are people who haven't yet passed on their genes involved in a conversation? I think not.

starwhores, people are probably a bit sensitive because of a similar thread on this board, objecting to men, where the Op is being VVU and offensive.

But it's called mumsnet not peoplenet shootfromthehip

southeastastra

well, i hardly ever join in on any threads about children. i'm sure the last 25 threads i've posted on have been mostly fashion and beauty, roman polanski, the lisbon treaty...

kids?!? oh yeah, they're around somewhere I think.

there's a good mixture of chat about loads of things from women of a similar age probably. I suppose when you get to your 30s, a lot of women are mothers, and mothers are still people.

oh yes, thread about a thread. I'm slow today.

very true franch, but the last time I checked Mums were still people too (might get a t-shirt with that on it). Yes primarily this board allows parents to exchange (in a rather frank manner) their experiences as parents, however, it does seem to have organically mutated into a place where anyone can come and exchange their views and thank goodness for that. I'm bored rigid with children talk in my rl and am delighted to have found somewhere full of interesting people, parents or not. Which would, I agree, means that the name is not strictly accurate but then should Dads not come here either?

Anyway, am off to lobby for a change in name to people'snet!!!

I come on here to get away from my children! It's nice to get advice, of course, but what keeps me here is just how generally marvellous everyone is (well, nearly everyone )

I honestly never think about who is a parent and who isn't on here.

Nor do I but I read a post today where someone had pointed out that they're not a parent, that's all.

[must learn to internalise stupid thoughts]

The only time I notice it is when people with no DC's get a bit rude and offensive - there was one thread in particular I'm thinking of where the discussion was about the difficulty of getting buggies etc on public transport, and one poster was really critical of the way that parents take up space, are selfish, cause other passengers problems, etc...I didn't think she shouldn't have been on Mumsnet, but I did wonder why she had chosen to get so involved with that particular thread...and to be quite rude!!

I found Mumsnet when googling about driving requirements in France before our holiday last year! Totally random, but I've been here since as a sometimes-poster.

I'm usually on the Food boards (where else can you ask a question about what to do with a satsuma, a pork chop and a tomato and get an answer in two seconds flat?!)

I make a point of never answering/commenting on threads about parenting/child issues though-it wouldnt be right for me to do that having zilch experience of my own. I must say though Mumsnet has already taught me so much about babies, toddlers and all the associated stuff- I can see when we do have our own (fingers crossed) it will be absolutely invaluable.

I too avoid any thread around childcare/parenting and what not, and wouldn't even think of criticising or mouthing off (about parents).

Jem, it's not just non parents who get irked with issues such as buggies on buses, kids in restaurants etc, lots of parents have views on this too.

These are issues to do with children, that affect everybody. So everybody is entitled to a say.

I work in childcare so have interest/insight into threads related to that. Plus I've recently had a miscarriage and am TTC. I also like the threads not directly related to parenting.

I can't see why everyone isn't free to have a say-there is a wide range of topics.

Because once you stumble across it it's addictive. I joined when pregnant, mc'd and have hung around for the last couple of years as a non parent because it's funny, informative, thought provoking and I really do like it here.

I'm not a parent (though hope to be in hte next couple of years - but not actively ttc at the moment iyswim)

I found mumsnet when I was searching on hte internet for good outings for dp's 4yo godson who we see all the time

I like the people and the interesting and funny conversations, though I also wouldn't presume to comment on parenting issues/childbirth etc

It is addictive! Mine are now older and I should stop-I am weaning myself off slowly.I just find that you can give opinions on all sorts of things, whereas in RL you have to keep them to yourself!

I don't have DC. I joined just before I got my BFP and found mumsnet extremely helpful when I mc'd a couple of weeks later. I've been TTC again since and find it helpful for information about that too.

A lot of what is discussed here is not about the posters' DC, it's about their parents, siblings, wider family, friends, jobs and life in general. Well guess what I have all of those things just like you.

Maybe those who find it odd that non-parents post here should start a petition to delete threads that are not exclusively about their own DC and I'll feck off until I give birth.

On a less annoyed note, I like it here because there are lots of like-minded and mostly educated and funny women. Mothers or not!

Because it's hard to find a forum that is not:

-exclusively used for talking (obsessively) about one topic

-full of 15 year old boys and men who have not gornw out of being 15 year old boys

-largely written in horrible horrible text/net language

I post on a teaching forum too, and there's a huge percentage of non-teacher posters over there.

I don't think that's odd either.

I agree with MorrisZapp - I really like this place, in fact I'm totally addicted. I am actually now TTC though I wasn't when I first came on here. I feel like I've learnt so much stuff that will stop me being too PFB when I do have a baby!

It is cos we all like to attack trolls.