Vipers' nest? Come counter our hissy rep with your stories of Mumsnet Niceness

[HelenMumsnet]

Hello.

Well, it's been bit of a week, hasn't it?

And we don't know about you but we think it's time folks outside MN knew a bit more about the lovely side of Mumsnet. All this stuff about harridans and vipers' nests kinda feels a bit lopsided to us - and is certainly making us pull on our Uggs and want to redress the balance a bit.

We're really chuffed to see such kind words about MN on Talk at the moment and also to see blogs like MmeLindor's that focus so beautifully on the "other side" of Mumsnet.

But we also want to publish, for all the world and the odd tabloid journo to see, a kinda showcase/archive of all the Lovely & Nice Things Mumsnetters Have Done over the years. And we'd really like your help with that, please.

Obviously, we have lots of Mumsnet Loveliness in mind already: ranging from Woolly Hugs to the Christmas Appeal and including everything from the lost toy on Blackpool Pier to the small acts of kindness shown every day from one MNer to another in need of help, advice or support.

But we really want you to tell us, too, about the Lovely Things you've seen (or taken part in) on Mumsnet. Please post them here - with links to the threads if you possibly can.

We'll read them all and, when we've run out of tissues, we'll publish some of your favourites for all the world to see.

Oh, and here's a pic of (warm and lovely) nest of vipers, courtesy of the fab women behind Woolly Hugs, to kinda set the tone

Awesome cross post Reality! I love we both declare massive love for 'my' atrocious cunts

hehe

Never, ever, ever would I so be pleased to be called an atrocious cunt. It's a real accolade here

I'd also like to say a massive thank you to MNHQ. Some of you I have met, many of you are just 'names on a screen'. But without exception, you are all part of the lovely fabric that is MN. And we must try your patience many times over!

I am always in awe of posters like AF, getorf and TSC.
The kindness of people like BIWI, fuzz pig, ellenjane, moosemama, star etc
My lovely lovely post natal group...5 years on and going strong! :)
The great and knowledgeable advice from people like cogito and pigletjohn.
I am humbled by the bravery and humour of posters like mrsdv, trazzles, expat, cupoftea...
Simply, my life is richer for having access to these amazing people.

That'll be Billie's Party held in the South Pole will it? It certainly bloody looked like it. And, anyway, it was my pleasure. DD3 and I had a blast xx

When I need to Properly 'know' the answer to something or just need some advice I've always found it here.

I detest the the pseudo-mnetters that try to put spanners in the works so to speak but they are few and far between and the real cunts amongst us can suss them out for what they really are.

MNHQ these are for you....

And as for the rest of you

Thank you lovely bof.

Where I mentioend earlier the gifts I was sent when I was ill it was bof who sent them. I was very ill and more than that really worried that I wouldntn get better, it was genuinely one of the lowest ebbs of my life. That meant a huge, huge deal to me.

I also am delighted to be an arrocious cunt. My dd doesn't get it, when I told her we call each other that as a sign of affection she was truly horrified!

And pistey - I love you. What you and the knitters do is truly lovely.

And Nancy Mitford is an atrocious cunt.

I feel a fraud adding anything, because I mainly use MN for crap telly threads-(I'm the one who usually starts the X factor/Voice threads-sorry and Doctors ) but I lurk enough on other stuff, and 'know' enough posters to appreciate the support that is there for those who need it.

People who don't agree on one thread, often find common ground on others.
And I spend too much of my time on here

I love you all it's Friday, I'm a bit tipsy

Being an atrocious cunt is an honour Gerrof!

One day she will understand.

Nancy Mitford was a crashing snob.

A bunch of us started a thread when we'd just found out about our collective BFPs. From there, we chatted every day throughout our pregnancies, often many times, and there were literally thousands of posts! Chat chat chat! Moan moan moan about puffy ankles and no sleep due to loo trips in the night, various appointment results, symptoms, what Dr Google had to say etc etc. We sympathised, consoled, advised and hand held through some pretty scary and also exciting times. One Mummy had her baby very early, months before the rest of us and we were there with her as much as possible cheering her on when times must have been so tough. There were often lots of times where I'd come online to MN to talk about stuff I couldn't discuss in RL and it was wonderful to "reach out" to others in the same boat. Anyhoo, months down the line, we're all still going strong and have become friends in RL too, meeting up fairly often with our babies for a nice (if chaotic) coffee and sarnie in John Lewis caff. My Dh thinks we're a bit mad...

We've organised a big first birthday bash for all the babies all over the UK this summer (you're invited too for cake and craziness, fear not ) and I can't wait to meet some more of the amazing women who have been such a strength and solace to me. Sob. So, thank you MN , tea and cake on me.

YY Maryz - you reminded me of Anthony Nolan there, too.
Also those posters who receive PM's of help, those who start more discrete threads and those who NC - plus the many more who lurk and benefit from the collective wisdom by proxy, as it were.

And the woolly huggers have even more of my admiration after I tried one teeny quilt sqare myself - and ended up with a sortof wonky bookmark

My daughter was stillborn two years ago and I've suffered two miscarriages since, I have received so much support from the beheavement thread but also the Angel mums continuous thread in conception. Those ladies are truly amazing and supportive, non judgemental. They have help me through som very dark times, I truly think of them all as friends.

Also the christmas appeal, this last christams I received gifts. The first was a voucher card with £5 on it and a little note, it made me cry so much that some one out there was thinking of me. It didn't matter what was sent the value wasn't the point its all about the thought.

Woollyhugs is amazing I feel honoured to be a blanketeer, pistey and knotty deserve medals for what they do or at least be made into Dames.

I am just astounded by the kindness of strangers on here, sharing their experiences and knowledge to help others out whether it be help with ingredients for dinner or help for symptoms of illness in a young child. I love mumsnet.

The friends I've met here who have become my RL friends.

A whole load of minor shitty things happened before Christmas, which together just made me miserable and a MNer sent me a takeaway and wine to cheer me up. I cried when I got that. It was exactly what I needed and I'll remember it forever.

The MNer who came over when my Nana died, just to keep me company while I drank wine and chatted shit.

Mostly it's the knowledge that I know whatever happens, I'll find support here from the MNers who are now RL friends and many others who offer advice and virtual hand-holding out of the kindness of their hearts.

Watching the Olympic Opening ceremony last year with the thread going at the same time made it even more brilliant than it was.

Well MrsDV, that was lovely too, but the kids arsing about in the snow and the beautiful smile on your face is what did it.

everlong you're one of them gorgeous strong wimmin too you know.

Well Id like to point the naysayers in the direction of the Miscarriage board. I would probably have lost the plot without them to listen to me pour my heart out and offer support.
There was SpookyCharlotte's ectopic thread. She could have DIED. The hospital kept sending her home. MNers advice kept sending her back until she received attention.
ClutchingPearls' son could have DIED. The advice they received here was bang on. It happens over and over.
There was more than one thread supporting a poster who's waters had gone very early whilst on holiday in America. She spent many weeks bedridden in hospital in another country, and Mumsnetters were there to keep her company online.
CupofTeaPlease and Beatrice's support threads.
Threads helping people leave abusive relationships.
Threads helping people cope with bereavement.
Threads offering physical help.
Threads offering advice. Support. A shoulder to cry on. A voice in the darkness.
Threads full of nonsense that make you roll around laughing,that take your mind off how crap life is and you thought you would never laugh again.
Threads that give you a much needed virtual slap around the face when you are being irrational.
Whatever the problem there is always somewhere on MN who has been there, done it, is having the same problem, deals with that problem in the line of work or just has a little bit of sympathy.
Yes there are threads that go tits up but more often than not there is a good reason.
Mumsnet is bloody amazing. You need to be here and see what goes on for yourself. Just dipping in and reading one or two random threads just isnt enough.
I LOVE YOU GUYS.

MN helped me in my darkest hour when my dd was in hospital in a foreign country, with brain suspected abnormalities. I was waiting for the neurologist in the dark late at night holding my dd's hand and I will never forget the kindness and support of MNetters.

*Suspected brain abnormalities!

Well I've got sitting in my house a huge pile of cards for a fellow mumsnetter, sent from all over the world following the birth of her son.

A long running thread from August last year, massive massive support, at a time of great stress for the MNer, and out of it all, I feel there's a great friendship been born between us all, even though we're yet to meet.

I found MN by pure accident and bloody love it :)