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."

[Chococat]

And then you get all those people who are adamant that there is no intellectual benefit of mumsnetting after a certain time (certainly that you couldn't get from elsewhere) and that it's just done for comfort (and this is wrong because you should be able to be comforted in other ways). sigh

Yes I can also watch telly, check emails etc and sometimes I do, but mumsnetting gives a great sense of being connected and that should never be undermined...

[sakurarose39]

I think the reason some women have difficulty MNing is that no-one MNed when they were children, and they are just not used to seeing it done. We need to have more positive role-models, so the next generation of mothers don't feel such freaks for "logging on".
In more technologically advanced societies, things are much more natural (there was a documentary on TV recently), and children have grown up with grandmothers, aunts, and older sisters all MNing, all with their computers on public display, so its just the norm...no need for artificial Sunday suppliments.

[onebatroll]

you wimon shuld be very careful - your cmputers are their to keep your husband's faithfull and not straying away its not natural to use them for m its disgusting you will all be sory when you are a berden on the state i bet.

[WilfSell]

onebat
humphrey

[onebattleaxeDMreader]

I don't make a habit of agreeing with trolls especially coarse ones, and I fully expect to get flamed for going against the typical MN liberal grain (MN worse than the BBC imho)but I have to put my head above the parapet and concur heartily with obt.

If you insist on MN-ing beyond the natural cut-off point, don't be surprised when your menfolk look elsewhere. They are men after all and have natural urges.

I predict there will be plenty of threads soon along the lines of 'Friend saw DH at internet cafe - now what?' or 'DH's Wifi habit - what would you do?' or 'Caught DH fiddling with his laptop AGAIN."

You will get no sympathy from me I'm afraid.

[StealthPolarBear]

urgh
it's not normal
i stop at 6pm
haven't you lot heard of MNBITTY?

[BouncingTurtle]

I Mned in the First Class carriage of a train going to London, these businessmen were very busy no looking away, but I also got the odd tutt.
Well what the f* was I supposed to do?? It was either than or play Superbomberman on the DS and I hadn't brought my headphones! I do try to be discreet but then I accidentally click on an AIBU thread and I accidentally spit my coffee out laughing...

[WilfSell]

SPB, you're fibbing. I've caught you with your mouse out on here well after that. ARe you one of those MNers who tells people you've stopped but you carry on in private? It's OK to own up here, people will support you whatever your choices.

[StealthPolarBear]

WilfSelf
But I stand by my MNBitty comment - it applies to anyone who's on later than me.
For anyone worried about MNIP, I'd like to reassure you that I have MNIP loads of times and have never had anything but nice comments/glances. In fact loads of elderly ladies tell me how they MNed when their DCs were younger and how lovely it is to see.

[StealthPolarBear]

When your DCs can ask you to MN, they're too old IMO

[becklespeckle]

How do you MN comfortably once your LO is teething/has teeth - I am definitely finding it less easy but the DM doen't hold much interest for me.

[susiecutiebananas]

I'd say use the DM to your advantage at the teething stage, its is great for actually chewing on. That way when you MN it won't cause any discomfort to the teething LO, as they have been more than satisfied on chewing the DM

just a little tip there for you, from a tried and tested method... HTH?

[StealthPolarBear]

If they try to bite the laptop say NO firmly and sit them on the floor on the DM.

[becklespeckle]

Thanks for the advice! Laptop is not getting chewed as such, just scratched during reading!

[WilfSell]

I'm finding, now he is developing his pincer grip, quite a lot of pinching too: is the DM good for that too?

[Janni]

Ripping the DM into tiny shreds will provide hours of fun for your LO and a deep and mellow feeling of satisfaction for you as you MN peacefully.

[lackaDAISYcal]

Now that DD is cruising, I'm finding it really hard to keep MNing. I'd like to continue for a while, and possibly even go on to be a tandem (I' 16 weels pregnant) and ultimately an EMNer, but she keeps grabbing at and tweaking the keys and losing my lengthy posts or going back one or even two screens. she's also a biter and causes me endless problems with inappropriate use of CAPITALS

What can I do to stop her; it's seriously interfering with my EMN plans , and is this the end of my MNing? Should I just accept that she is self weaning and speak to the newsagent about a subscription to DM?

[StealthPolarBear]

my DS loves pressing the back button!

[princessglitter]

Everyone can MN. There's no excuse not to. It tends to be people from the North and the working class who don't MN. I returned to work when each of my children were two weeks old and read the Daily Express or had the nanny bring the laptop in for me.