Hi all. Thanks to those who got in touch. We're stepping in with a few thoughts on this thread and the wider issues it’s raised.
We created this board in response to user demand. It's a space for people who don’t have children whether by choice, chance or circumstance to talk about their experiences, share support, and connect with others. As with many of our boards, it reflects the diversity of our users. You don't need to be a parent to join in on Mumsnet, as the huge range of topics attest.
As many of you will know, threads from this board do appear in Active conversations, and we’ve seen that this can sometimes cause confusion or friction particularly when a thread touches on something emotionally charged as this one seems to have done. We want to acknowledge clearly that yes, sometimes posters do arrive here with provocative or dismissive comments. That’s upsetting, and it can be exhausting for those who post here regularly and in good faith. We absolutely see that, and when it happens, you’re well within your rights to report the post and expect us to take action. We will step in on posters who derail threads or deliberately disrupt the tone of the board.
At the same time, we’d hope for a bit of generosity and understanding where possible. Not everyone who stumbles into a space like this from Active is goady - and there are better ways to respond to someone unfamiliar with the board than immediately chasing them off. Mumsnet is open to everyone who wants to be here, and while we can’t (and won’t) gatekeep by life stage or parental status, we do ask all posters to engage in good faith and to consider the board's context before jumping in.
It’s not unreasonable for someone to ask questions but what may go a long way in some cases is just a moment of calm explanation. A post like, “This board is for MNers without children, that might explain the tone,” could really help to diffuse tension early on. If a poster continues to derail then report them to us.
We know some users feel strongly that this board shouldn’t appear in Active. We do understand that view but we’re also mindful that removing it would make the board less visible and less used, and risks sidelining a group of posters who already have fewer spaces to talk freely. It’s not a decision we’d take lightly, but it’s something we’ll keep reflecting on at MNHQ.
In the meantime, please report posts that feel off, rather than engaging in hostilities and if you’ve arrived on a thread via Active, take a moment to check which board you’re on. And wherever you're posting, please remember that disagreement is fine, but personal attacks, pile-ons and goading are not. Thanks, all.