Looking Back - How Mumsnet Has Helped Me

[Bumblelion]

I have just spent some time looking back over previous postings I have created. I first joined Mumsnet in August 2001 - but back then known as JacquiKD but changed moniker to something less likely to be recognised by - but everyone will now know that Bumblelion was previously JacquiKD. Saying that, anyone that does know me, would guess I am Bumblelion from what is happening in my life.

Does anyone look back over previous postings - mine included (1st) Should I stay or should I go. Reading it makes me feel a bit sad in what I was going through then, and then I realise it is me that I am talking about and I start to feel sorry for myself. I see that I have moved on and I feel Mumsnet is a great way to reflect on what is happening. I obviously know everything that has happened in my life, good and bad, but it easy to forget what happened on what particular day. Readiing back over my other postings makes me realise that I am so much better off now that he has finally moved out - I can't believe what I went through at 7 months pregnant trying to hold onto a marriage that was beyond repair.

Still makes me feel sad but no way would I want to re-live those bad months - I am so much better off now than I was then - I just don't always realise it.

Also speaking to other people about my other problems ... delayed development with youngest DD, possible cranio-synostosis - it is such a help that even if no-one is actually going through what I currently am, just knowing there is a support network of people thinking of me and wishing me well in my life makes me feel so positive and happy.

Don't mean that last bit to sound so shallow, but it's true.

It doesn't sound shallow at all! I remember you posting when your dh was still living with you but dating an other woman - we were all appaulled! I have been really pleased since then to notice the tone of your posts, you have pulled yourself through that dark period and now you seem so much happier! But don't think it was all down to Mumsnet, sure it may have helped, but ultimately you did all that. All we could do was to offer sympathies and advice, it took your strength and courage to claw your way out of there, and your story stands as an inspiration for others who think that the bad times will never end!
Mumsnet has been incredibly supportive of me too, and I really hope it will remain so as I have a rocky time ahead of me just now.
I really wish you the best of luck Bumblelion, you deserve happiness and a lot of credit for the way you handled things back then.
What would we do without Mumsnet?

I just wish that I had found it when ds was a baby, as I went through a hellish first three months.

Funnily enough, I was thinking along similar lines the other day - not so much how mumsnet has helped me (although it has with soooo many things) more about how it will be a great thing in the future to go back and look at threads where I've posted things about my dds and see how far they've come (or not), and bring back some memories - cos no matter how much you think you'll remember everything, it's just not possible. I may even be so sad as to print out some of the threads - I'm here so much, it's almost a diary!
And Bumbelion, although I may never have "spoken" to you before, I have followed your story since the beginning, and I do find myself wondering how you (and other people who's stories I've followed) are getting on.
Another hurrah for mumsnet!

I've only joined since about Sep/Oct of last year and my boys are 4.5. It would have been such a help to me when they were younger, although I don't think I'd have wanted to read my posts back, I was in such an awful state of mind.

I'm a sporadic poster but a very regular reader and already find myself going back over threads that 'old friends' like the first one I ever started (on nipple confusion, if I remember rightly).

You're right Bumblelion, I look at that thread and it brings back all the anxiety and stress I was under (DS 5 weeks old and losing weight, I'm getting mild PND as a result). I really feel I turned a corner when I found Mumsnet and began to deal with my isolation and I'm sure if I hadn't had that support, my PND would have been much worse and more prolonged.

Thanks guys

Ive only been lucky enought to have found mumsnet 3-4 months ago. After reading all the stories on this tread it changed my opinion i like bumblebee thought that mumsnet was to thank for my change in attitude towards my life and my family but after reading Rubarbs story i agree .That we have to take some off the credit I think mumsnet gave me the confidence that i needed and let me know i wasnt alone as i had felt for sometime. My second child was and still is a very difficult toddeler, and because hes my second i was embarassed to ask the health visitor for so much help. Mumsnet is not only a fun way to gain advice or support, to people like me its so much more. Thanks all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!