Has mumsnet changed you?

[musica]

I was thinking about mumsnet, and in particular statistics for things like homebirths. It seems there is a far higher incidence of homebirth among mumsnetters than the national average, and I expect other things like breastfeeding statistics are different too. So what I was wondering is, have you become more likely to do these things (or anything else) as a result of posting/reading on mumsnet, or is that sort of person more likely to post on mumsnet?

Things I have changed as a result of mumsnet are my attitudes about vaccination (still don't know what I think, but have been convinced enough by people like jimjams to want to look much deeper into it). Also, reading about children such as Lottie have really made me think about Special Needs in a more personal way than I would have done before. I'd be really interested to know what you all thought about the effect the site has.

i think its interesting to see what other people have been/are going through, especially if similar to my own experiences. i also think i sound like a mum (sounds stupid I know) and I feel more older when I talk on here when I give advice and things like that. plus its nice to be able to get to know other mums as I wouldnt have known any without mumsnet

Well, I'm seriously considering volunteering for Homestart which I would never have even heard of if I hadn't read about it on MN. And I've also thought differently about SN (well, in fact I'd never really thought about it at all, tbh) after reading lots of the experiences on here. I just think that I've come into contact with a far, far wider range of experiences and outlooks than I would ever have done IRL, which can only be a good thing. Plus I've had a huge amount of support during a difficult time and it's not an exaggeration to say I might not have found the strength to change things if it wasn't for posting on here.

there was a very similar thread about 6 months ago (shame I can't get in the archives)
IIRC, many people, certainly me, said Mn made them less judgmental, more patient and wiling to see other people's points of view.

Oh heck- and I spent one thread arguing that there was no way I was having an effect on anyone's views in vaccination Never an intention to change anyone's mind. Just don't want people to judge me badly (or at all) for my own decisions iyswim.....

Apart from one RL friend mumsnet is the only place I have regular contact with "normal" (nonSN) people so maybe it keeps me more in touch with what is normality than I would be otherwise.

It hasn't changed me- having a disabled child changed me beyond belief though. My first post on here was about a year and a half before ds1 was diagnosed- about a year before it was clear he had problems. I posted once then didn't come back on here for a few years. I wish I'd posted regularly as it would have documented a complete change in the way I think about pretty much everything!

My vaccination attitudes have changed, definitely - partly due to ds1 reacting really badly to the hib booster last year, and partly due to the huge wealth of knowledge on mumsnet about it (thanks Jimjams!)

My knowledge and understanding of SEN issues has gone from zero to a fair bit from reading the threads here.

More tolerant of not only other people's parenting styles, but also my own (if that makes sense?) I am often my own worse critic so it's been extremely helpful to get reassurance and support that actually I'm doing okay. I think I'm now more confident and laid back as a result (okay, so I'm not really a laid back person - I'm a born worrier... but I worry less now, honest!)

i think im definately more open to other peoples views and i find myself constantly saying to friends "well they said...on mn" i never got on with women before i came on here. i was quite frightened of them, most of the women i meet in rl are very bitchy towards me but i havent encountered that on here. i think ive learnt that we're all the same and that it is ok to have differing opinions...maybe ive grown up a tad?

On here you can be a person rather than 'so-and-so's' mum as so often happens in real life we become invisible without our child.

I have learned so many things about parenting, from the pros and cons of a particular highchair to how to cope with life with a toddler.

I feel like I am part of a club now. When I first had dd I felt there was no-one to help. You know there are other parents out there with similar problems to yourself.

I am more tolerant, patient and less frightened of being a parent now.

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I have changed in lots of ways through MN ...
My confidence in breastfeeding in public is one perfect example ... actually, my confidence in breastfeeding full stop. If it wasn't for mumsnet I know that DD would be on bottles by now.
Also, like others my take on vaccinations has changed. Still not sure which side of the fence I am but like musica I have been encouraged to look into it.

I've learnt more than I could ever learn from books or anywhere else. I love being able to talk to real mums, rather than perfect ones.

MN has definitely changed me in one way - I'm now nearly divorced instead of still living with a horrible husband. And I completely thank MN for that - being able to talk to loads of different people frankly without being judged and finding loads of people who gave support and wanted to help made all the difference.

mumsnet has changed me in lots of ways, im more confident well a little bit, im more chatty i love mumsnet ive made so many nice friends and i no somebody is allways here for me if i need them and visa versa xxxxxxxxx

Definitely more aware of the challenges (emotional and bureaucratic) facing parents of children with special needs. It's also made me much more aware of how many relationships break up, the heatbreak that it can cause and the many different reasons it can happen. It has reminded me not to take what I have at the moment for granted, and that people need support when they are facing difficult times.

Sorry that should say "heartbreak"

SEE jimjams - you do make a difference - how many people have mentioned vaccinations on this thread?!