Extended Mumsnetting

[BEAUTlFUL]

It is the accepted norm for most Mothers to stop Mumsnetting at around the same time, 6-7pm. Many others like to carry on until slightly later, 10 or 11pm.

But, there is a group of Extended Mumsnetters who don't conform to society's normal guidelines for internet usage and go far beyond the recommended 12am shut-off, Mumsnetting up to the time of 3, 4, even 8am.

Whilst most mothers would balk at such extended internet use, claiming their computer was primarily designed for their husband, these Extended Mumsnetters say it carries benefits.

"After 1am, you get the drunks coming back from the pub," says one EM, who admits she has Mumsnetted well past dawn. "They type a bit dodgily, but often you can get them to admit embarrassing stuff without name-changing."

Then there are the Tandem Mumsnetters, who have two screens open simultaneously so they can refresh threads faster.

The World Health Organisation recommends every mother Mumsnets if at all possible, and supports the local Internet Cafes that help new Mumsnetters overcome problems logging on. But there are some groups of people who believe Extended Mumsnetters are weird. "I tried to Mumsnet when I had a baby, but it was so tricky at first," says one vehement opposer. "In the end I gave up and read the Daily Mail. My kids are thriving."

[LittleMyDancing]

And what about those people whose DHs pressure them into giving up MNing? Some selfish DHs seem to think that the computer is only a sexual thing for surfing porn, rather than an important element of childrearing.

Tsk.

[messycow]

i laughed very loudly at the op love it

esp the tandem mners

[nickytwotimes]

I'm thinking of training as a mn counsellor. Anyone know where to start? I've contacted the NMNT but am waiting to hear back.

[susiecutiebananas]

mrsBadger thank you for your apology, I can't tell you how nice it is to hear tbh. Not enough of it. thank you

AS for the comments from littlemydancing, as I said in my previous post, if your DH is not supporting you 100%, then bin the bastard. Its not his right to oppress you and you needs as a mother and as a woman a thing for sexual pleasure? Fascist Bastard! This is not the 1980's!!! FFS!

Anyway, I feel better for being able to talk about those early days when it was not easy, without feeling such shame. So I'm grateful for this thread.

[berolina]

What does everyone think about the language we use to discuss MN and DM? It's all very well to say that MNing has 'benefits', whereas the reality is the DM has risks - but, as we can see above, this is a deeply emotive issue for some posters and we need to go about it sensitively.

[BEAUTlFUL]

I really only went on to the Daily Mail because I wanted to sleep through the night. And it does work. I dream-read one page at 10pm and I'm asleep almost immediately.

[BEAUTlFUL]

Starlight, my friend had a blocked internet cache - that was nasty. She went on to DM because she thought it'd be easier, and at first it is. But soon you realise there's all the celebrity features to get through, all the skimming-over the posh bits... Much more fiddly, IMO.

Does anyone know how safe it is to leave a copy of the DM out before you have to throw it away?

[BEAUTlFUL]

Did you know that in prisons, they give prisoner-mothers a copy of the Mail on Sunday and that's meant to last them the whole week??

[berolina]

We do have to stress, too, that it is a lot easier to try MN and move to DM if you find it's really not working for you, than to start off on DM and try to go to MN later... Establishing Ning after DM use takes a lot of grit and commitment (and a hard hat).

[S1ur]

I think it really helps if you are surrounding by friends who also mn. Not only can you discuss thread juxta positions and problems with leaking venacular but also you feel less like a freak.

I have been made to feel like I'm doing soething dirty and I am sometimes ashamed to admit the extent of my mning, I do it all night sometimes

It is awful, everyone says you're supposed to be sleeping through the night by now but instead I'm still up, mning!

[berolina]

Yes beautiful, and with DM there's all the sterilising your mind after reading the poisonous articles. A PITA IMO.

[LittleMyDancing]

I switched to DM because I wanted to keep my figure - I heard that extended MNing leaves you all flat, droopy and exhausted.

[welliemum]

It's true that Mumsnetting does carry risks, for example of your children being carried off by wolves while you goggle helplessly at a wedding thread, but hey, "Happy Mum, happy baby" is what I always say.

[BEAUTlFUL]

I've heard that some women let their DHs try a little bit of Mumsnet. [barf]

[S1ur]

I know this could be controversial but I think that weaning from MN early can have serious consequences.

Intially MNing is full of goodness and vital during those early days, then I think people often go through a difficult phase where it feels like everyone is bitchy and there is a need for something more substantial.

Often people switch to DM then or even to BroadSheets in the hope of satisfying their hunger. Sadly this rarely works and those that stick at MNing through that tough 3-4 months patch are greatly rewarded with in-jokes and recognition.

[SNoraWotzThat]

To extend MN
Wireless connection, everywhere, so you can login at;

Tescos - all trolleys with little shelves instead of those silly child seats. Make them walk.

School playgrounds should offer free dial up connection in the outdoor playhouses/school playground/bike sheds. Drop them off, stay all day then pick them up.

[S1ur]

I do think GPs should be made more aware of how to facilitate MNing

[MrsBadger]

I don't think the DM helps you keep your figure any more than MN, although I accept that eating cake while MNing may have an impact (though no-one says that reading the Mail means you eat less cake)

and things like the 10/10 and 'easy-peasy diet' threads can mean that MNing can help you lose weights

mind you the Mail pics of 'fat' celebs in bikinis might terrify you into submission...

[berolina]

Spot on, Slur - such a shame that EMNers are so often referred to as 'smug', 'sanctimonious' or even 'cliquey'.

[OsmosisBanana]

very good.

[BEAUTlFUL]

Is it true that net-nurses are making a comeback? I know they were popular in the 90s, but would you really want another woman reading your threads for you? It's a bit "The hand that clicks the toolbar".

[WilfSell]

Slur, I think babyled weaning is probably the only sensible choice. You park them in the bumbo, stick a breadstick in their hand and let them get on with it. They show precious little real interest in the laptop until they're pulling themselves up IMHO so you've got, oh, at least another 3-4 months to yourself.