Calling all lurkers! This is YOUR week: prizes to be won!

[RebeccaMumsnet]

AHOY! LONGTIME LURKERS!

We know you’re out there and we long to welcome you into the light. If you’ve been reading the boards for a while, but haven’t quite plucked up the courage to jump into the fray - or simply haven’t been able to settle on a username from your longlist - then this is YOUR week.

We’ve created a new topic - Newbies’ corner, especially for you. We’ve updated our ‘getting started’ guidelines in your honour (and even put them into video form, to make things easier still). We’ve come up with a guide to Mumsnet’s acronyms, so you’ll be spared the embarrassment of having to ask what a BFP is, or what you’d be doing if you LTB. We’ve summarised the key things you need to know about Mumsnet in a handy infographic (click here to discover exactly how many teabags we get through a week in MNHQ), and gathered the most legendary threads in the site’s history in one place, so you can do your background reading.

We've got a clutch of offers available exclusively to de-lurked MNers - and as if all that isn’t enough, we’re also offering spot prizes to those of you who make their your first post this week. Yes, really! So if you want to be in the running for

-two pairs of Kickers and £100 vouchers from <a class="break-all" href="http://track.webgains.com/click.html?wgcampaignid=185523&wgprogramid=10431&clickref=competitionthread&wgtarget=www.tower-london.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tower London

• a midweek family break for four at Crieff Hydro
• a Benefit beauty hamper worth £200
• a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Bloom and Wild
• tickets to the Ideal Home show
• Audible are giving all new members five free books

among many other prizes, get posting now.

And! We'll be awarding all stalwarts who extend the hand of friendship to newbies with your very own halo emoji, to say thanks

So come on folks, don't be shy: venture on below and tell us what you think of MN, and we'll pop your name into the lurkers' hat to win some fab goodies. Happy posting! MNHQ

Been lurking for years - posted a couple of times in that period and even have a few favourite mn'ers. Mainly the potty mouthed realists

I'm a long time lurker, I think I found my way over here from a thread I read on Netmums when I was pregnant. I'm pretty sure it was the mention of the willy beaker that coaxed me over! I spent all of my maternity leave before my ds was born reading the classics and trying not to wet myself from laughing too much.

Anyone used the British Surrogacy Centre or advice on surrogacy in the UK?

Hi there
My hubby and I have years of failed IVF:( and have now decided to go down the route of surrogacy. We've come across the British Surrogacy Centre (BSC) and wondered if anyone has got experience of using them/heard about them or any general advice - it would be much appreciated. it's a huge move and we're feeling very nervous especially as there is no legal contracts to be used in the UK...

We looked into Surrogcy UK and COTTS but both have long waiting lists and it's all very much introductions to both IPs and surrogates at social events - whereas the BSC seem to 'match' you to surrogates in the UK that they have. Seemed to have more of a process and system?

Thanks,
Mitsy x

Mitzy, there's a whole Surrogacy board. ^^Up there, look for Topics then Becoming a Parent.

Oh. I went to give you a link, but I see you've found it. Well done.

Hey!
A new member here saying hi 🖐

Still trying to figure out acronyms hehehe

Hi. I've dipped my toe in for a while and posted on a couple of lighthearted threads but not yet taken the plunge!

Coffee-join the club!

doyouseeme1-I remember the very same thread! About that same time...I joined.

Soupy

Hi long time lurker here. A couple of years at least, time runs away from me so not actually sure how long I have been lurking. Commented on threads a couple of times but then lost confidence. I read the active threads at least once a day (for advice or sometimes a giggle) so maybe it is time I joined in

Fuckit im gettin me a halo for that post.

I've been lurking since before my eldest was born (4) and am finally joining in. Will try not to run away

Shy lurker here too, tentatively jumping in.... I'm currently a sahm and love the chat and style&beauty sections, not that I get to practice much of either these days 😬

Hello to you all and welcome! This is such a great idea- it can all be a bit overwhelming at first. Lurking is one thing but actually posting or starting threads can certainly be a baptism of fire- particularly in aibu!

I never thought about myself as a lurker before - more a gatherer of information! My DGD is a feisty little thing (one of the main reasons my other DD hasn't big the bullet and started her family yet!). At 2 years old I asked her if she had been a good girl for her daddy (my DS) - her reply was "not really but I went for a time out in the hall then I came back in and listened"! I'm not looking forward to her teenage years

I'm a 95% lurker. I lurk a lot (almost daily in fact) but only get the courage to post a couple of times a year! It's not that anybody is scary, it's just that I'm not sure I've got anything that interesting to say...

I'm mostly interesting in the book discussions, parenting of teens and style and beauty.

Hello all. I've been lurking for ages, ever since a friend told me about the Penis Beaker...I really wish Mumsnet had been around when I had my kids as I think it may have saved me from literally going mad. I've got toddler grandchildren now so they are my excuse for being here:-)

Long time lurker here, often come to the site for advice or a laugh. Looking forward to becoming a part of the community! Xx

This is a great way to get new people commenting and hello to all newbies here.

Anyone !! Xx

I too am a lurky lurker also, I've been a member for yonks, years in fact and I don't think I've ever posted? Not that I can remember any way! I've being dying to know for ages what 'woo' means? As in 'feeling a bit woo' and 'that's a woo subject' I've seen it lots on MN and I cannot work out what it means

Hey girls! I'm new and super confused please help if you can !!, yesterday it just randomly dawned on me that I haven't had a period I have never ever missed one in my life, I checked my app and my dates and it turns out I'm 14 days today overdue I took a home test yesterday and I got a negative, we are trying however I have some systis on my ovary I don't feel pregnant then again I haven't been pregnant before lol phoned the doc and he said to try again next week has this ever happened to anyone? And we're you pregnant help please !!! Xx

Bluelle- woo is like mystic/magicky/ethereal bollocks stuff. Like when people think they have ghosts, but it's the central heating knocking etc. Its not an acronym, say it aloud as 'woooooo' and wave your hands in front of you in a shimmery manner.

Megan- POAS! (politely, means do a pregnancy test!) There's a whole topic for conception, including lots of people that have PCOS, cysts, all kinds of things. Look at the top^ go to topics, conception, make a thread.
They will probably tolerate kisses on conception board, but the rest of MN may not [pointed stare]

bluelle woo usually means something unexplainable, like ghosts or the like. Often freaky but compulsive reading, usually late at night in the dark.

Megan that's a new one on me, there's a conception board where it might be worth posting for more advice. Equally, I'd perhaps see if you can get checked out at the dr.