What has MN taught you?

[TobyLerone]

I've learnt a shitload of stuff!

~ That it's possible to buy frozen, chopped onions
~ That there are people who drink more wine than I do
~ That my relationship is amazing and that my DP is a wonder
~ That I'm even more judgemental than I thought
~ That everyone is judging me all the time, and how little I care
~ That I should meal-plan
~ That I should be grateful every day for my health and that of my family
~ That I should be grateful that my DC will eat whatever is put in front of them

And mostly

~ That it doesn't matter what someone needs, someone else will know the answer/how to get it. Or will just do a bit of handholding until everything's better.

A sense of perspective
The onion thing, right now! Also mushrooms and peppers previously.
Loads of parenting type tips
That some women go through a lot of shit and call it normal

• that everyones kid goes to bed earlier than my DS

- that fruit shoots and greggs sausage rolls are the devils food - that I am a bit wierd for doing most of the housework - that I was very lucky with my MIL - that I shouldnt put up with DS being such a fussy eater...but I do so tough, - that I should count my blessings for the positive things I do have - that we are all different!

All of what you put Tobes, apart from the meal planning, I don't do organised.

That you don't have to park on the 'right' side of the petrol pump. It will reach.

This too shall pass!

Did you mean to sound so rude?

and to absolutely have the twat radar turned on when on-line dating.

That other people are as weird as I am inside my head. That was good to know.

• that my parenting is far worse than I thought is was, but nowhere near as bad is it could be.
• that some people really are looking for a fight and will start a fight in an empty room given half the chance
• that there are people capable of twisting everything you say to make it suit their own argument
• that you need a really thick skin to post on AIBU
• that I am truly, truly blessed to have two perfect healthy children conceived with no troubles at all and that I should remind myself of that more often.
• you can tell a MN-er by her choice of ham
• that my DH is absolutely amazing and I should tell him that more often

That no matter how I parent dd, I will be WRONG

I didn't say that I do meal-plan -- just that I should :o

YY to 'this too shall pass', and more to the point, that it really does pass.

That other women have been through what I have and I am not alone.

That using glass cleaner on your sink makes it really shiny.

-I'm a shit teacher because I've done loads of things that people complain about on here--

Oops crossing out fail. Now everyone knows I'm a shit teacher

Baby-led weaning!

That I will never be the best nor the worst parent.
If my children love me when they are adults I will have done a good job.
Oh and the older I get the more I am able to "not sweat the small stuff".

MN has taught me:-

1. That women on the whole seem to be more competitive (defensive??) than men, and this probably holds women back in general
2. That even though I am v v clever, I am not always right (in RL people are too polite to pick your arguments apart)
3. That most of us have it sooooo easy compared to those whose DCs have complex special needs or are very ill, and that we should all crush our children to us every night and thank God we do not go through the obscene hell that other mums sometimes live through.

Baby led weaning
extended rear facing
that no matter what you are going through someone else on here has gone through it too
that its ok for me to have strong thoughts and feelings about things and that I am capable of understanding other may not think the same

"1) That women on the whole seem to be more competitive (defensive??) than men, and this probably holds women back in general
2) That even though I am v v clever, I am not always right (in RL people are too polite to pick your arguments apart)
3) That most of us have it sooooo easy compared to those whose DCs have complex special needs or are very ill, and that we should all crush our children to us every night and thank God we do not go through the obscene hell that other mums sometimes live through."

This. And 'don't sweat the small stuff'.

Shetloads. I was an ignorant sow before I discovered MN.

That my relationship with my exBF was emotionally abusive (I didn't even know the term existed!) and I am well shot of him and his wretched mother.
That feminism is alive & well!
That I am blessed beyond belief to have a DH who irons his own shirts and brings me tea in bed every day (and more besides)
To feel awe and respect for all the parents here who have children with SN or who are ill.
Loads of advice about breastfeeding and coping with a newborn generally.
It's been a lifeline!

So, so much. It has enriched my life immeasurably.

That I was being emotionally abused and that there are worse life events than divorce.

That perfect strangers are willing to spend their free time and energy boosting my confidence and holding my hand through some tough times.

That apparently most of what I wear and most of my interior decor is soooo last decade and/or 'naff'!

littlemachine I've not come across the glass cleaner in the sink tip. I shall try that asap!