Getting Mumsnet back to the way it used to be.

[Jubbly]

I've posted this under Site Stuff because I truly do believe that this is affecting the whole site at the moment - or at least the 'Talk' area.

I apologise in advance to anyone who thinks I am speaking out of turn but I feel I have to say something.

Mumsnet, to me at least, is the very best site of its kind. The posters are the kindest, friendliest bunch of people I have ever had the privilege to meet. I won't make them blush by naming names but some in particular have literally brought tears to my eyes with their kindness and generosity.

I don't know what has happened recently but over the past few days or so the 'atmosphere on here has been awful, Some threads have turned into war-zones with name-calling and insults. On the'safe' threads people are talking about how awful they are feeling after having their professions pulled to pieces.

At the same time new members are afraid to post in case they are accused of being a troll. Posters are feeling hurt when they talk about awful experiences and are accused of lying.

The point of this thread isn't to cast the blame on anyone. I just want to make a plea to people to try to think before they post. Think about how what you say may affect others.Count to ten if you need to but please can we get Mumsnet back to the way it was?

Dont forget this thread .

There are some lovely sentiments on here, so it isnt all doom and gloom.

I left work on Thursday and logged on yesterday to a right load of shenanagins. Can the next mud slinging session commence at approximately 1pm today as I will be on my lunch and will be able to partake freely.

I thank you.

Oliveoil!!!

There was a lovely thread yesterday - something like 'Am I a bad parent cos my kids are mad' and it made me think that that was much more what MN was about. I think there was lots of reassurance and advice on there for an obviously worried mother and lots of pple had so many useful things to say that made me think about the way I do thinks with my mad 2.

Hulababy just said I had a big mouth

I have NOT got a wonky eye, harrumph

Twofaced!!!!!

faints with shock at insults

Stop it distracting me!!! I am supposed to be lesson planning for next week

my children are starving...

Cod -Eh?

You started it Hulababy

Tell me what have I missed? Didn't log on on Mon or Tues. I WANT TO KNOW NOW!!!!!!!!

CD - tried feeding them?

Northerner - try reading the Arsenal thread and the Teachers thread for a starting point...

Joking appart .... doesn't all this show that we are quite good at policing ourselves ?? If people are posting replies that are totally out of order the majority soon show their disgust/disapproval ....
Wonder if DL has gone for good ??
He might come back as ..... WHAT

TBH, and please don't all go mad at me, but I think with 20,000 members and growing, its going to be increasingly hard for MN to remain self-policing, especially when we have to make a request for a post to be deleted. Anyone can and does come on here and troll or be offensive, or anything really. Usually self policing seems to work, but with increased frequency MN is having to step in and delete posts or answer emails about certain posters, and I would think that with numbers growing thats only going to happen with more frequecy. The internet is, afterall, a free for all.

Just my 2 cents puts helmet on

I think that slanging matches will occur and some posters feel so strongly about certain subjects that reason goes out the window. Most of the site is supportive and very imformative so when I see a mean or spiteful thread I usually ignore it and hope it dies a natural death. Which they usually do.

Me too OliveOil. I dont get much chance to post but do check in every day and concentrate on the threads that are most relevant to me. I have had so much advice and support on the thread I started about miscarriage and infertility, it really restored my faith in humans! I tend to ignore the more controversial stuff. It has been said before and it is very true that certain posters love the fact we are getting wound up by their insensitive or inflamatory comments, ignoring their childish and sad antics is by far the best approach.

slightly off topic but how come MN has over 15,000 members but only 309 subscribers?
MN subscribers
come on - it's only £10 for a year which is not much for all the support/fun/info it offers.

If you've not subscribed - DO IT NOW.

As others have said, I think there will always be threads where things go pear-shaped. It has always happened. I wouldn't even bother deleting the threads, you can ignore it and they ALWAYS die eventually.

Personally, call me shallow, but I tend to get quite heated on some things then a couple of days later I get bored with it and can't be bothered any more. I'm sure the majority are a bit like this which is why threads die naturally.

Mumsnet staff can't be expected to sort out all the battles, they are effectively just hosting a noticeboard at the end of the day and so this will happen. I do think mumsnet is pretty self-policing anyway

Dadslib will be back under another name and normal mumsnet life will be resumed in a few weeks, you mark my words.

hahaha look at this

Plus ca change