How to deal with the anti-childfree on the childfree boards

[ItsNotRocketSalad]

This has come up in other threads and some posters decided we should post cute animal pictures when the non/anti-childfree post stupid or inflammatory comments. IMO that's not very helpful as it derails the thread just as effectively as the invaders.

So in site stuff I asked MNHQ if we should bother reporting posts like "why are you on a PARENTING FORUM" and "childless people are so angry and bitter" - just two examples of the many irritating comments we've already had multiple times on our board.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/site_stuff/4841580-threads-showing-on-active

Mumsnet replied: It's definitely worth reporting those sorts of posts. If it looks like someone is being deliberately inflammatory, we'd see that as reason to take it down, particularly if they're continuing having been asked politely to desist, or doing this sort of thing repeatedly. We can also post on those threads ourselves, if that helps, to point out that Mumsnet is a forum for everyone. Do just drop us a line where you see this sort of thing and we can take it from there.

We'd much rather tackle that sort of posting at source than take a board out of active, particularly such a new board, as it means fewer people will happen across it and it may simply fizzle out, which would be a real shame.

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So when they turn up, those who want to can post cute animals and others can ask them politely to stop and then report any further posts. If a thread is being particularly derailed, we can ask MNHQ to post a reminder on it.

Yeah, personally I think reporting it is the way to go. People can argue with us, but they can't argue with MNHQ.

Report and post a cute pet picture. 🙂

I like that.

I like the pet pictures, but will report as well.

I appreciate MNHQ's support on this. Thank you, MN.

Ignore and report. They're looking for a reaction, don't give them one.

Second this. I was surprised and grateful for their response.

The trouble I find with the pet pictures is they take over and we then have several pages of them long after the stirrer (because let's face it, that's what they are here for) has shoved off.

That's a good point, too.

I'm just going to ignore and report. Why give them any attention at all? they plop onto the board, post an inflammatory comment - like the poster who said the CF board was full of anti-parent comments but surprise, surprise, didn't rise to the challenge of actually providing evidence - and then disappear.

If I start to get annoyed by posts on an anon message board that's usually my sign to log off of the Internet for a bit.

I love the animals pictures but I'm happy to report as well. I think there's room for other views on CFree but not rudeness or the goady posts, happens on all the boards. Take a look at the Step parents board, that gets pretty nasty at times

I'm not childfree, but this thread came up on active feed, so, sorry for invading safe space.

I think you need to report it, and HQ really need to have firm stance on this. Any particular community/board for some particular group of people should be safe place for them. So, like me, who are invading into the space where we don't belong, should really show respect, not going there to cause argument.

You're more than welcome to post on this board! All we ask is that (generic) you respect the board's raison d'etre.

And yours was a sensitive and sensible post. Much appreciated.

Absolutely. To be totally clear, I was asking what we can do about posters who are anti-childfree. Plenty of parents are not. 😀

You can hide individual posters on here if I recall correctly. So report and hide and they've lost their platforms. Don't react directly.

I was going to say this! 😸

I think clarifying rules around posts would be good.
Or example "why are you on MUMsnet" and "but don't you feel sorry you will never know real love" are annoying, but have totally different effect and meaning on AIBU to here. So board specific guidelines kind of thing? If that makes sense

Well, they’re always stupid comments. I can see more people reporting them if they’re made on this board, though.

Thanks HQ!

No. That function does not exist.

Some threads and some boards would have more holes than a Swiss cheese if we had that.

Just report anything as “not in the spirit” if you think it is l, regardless of the board you’re on.

I think posting cute pet pictures is really childish which is ironic given this is the childfree board.

Just ignore them. It's daft to ask why the child free post on Mumsnet . .. the board has involved so much since I joined when DD was a toddler.

Don't rise to their jibes, just carry on chatting, they'll get bored.

Tbf remember the furore when people who don’t like sex saw the sex topic. The dog house is full of people who hate dogs. Black mnetters is infested with “I’m not racist but” type posts

I think it’s just par for the course around here 🤷🏼‍♀️

I think posting cute pet pictures is really childish which is ironic given this is the childfree board

I have to admit, when one thread got to several pages of pictures I lost patience and didn't go back. If it becomes a response to goading posts then I'll have to consider how much do I really want to use this board - which would be a shame, having been so pleased it exists.