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

You're so right Jux. It's much better for tabloid rags to have women fighting each other.

Very true jux

When I was getting help with DS's SN, I found the SN boards to be a haven of warmth and support. I don't know what I'd have done without them.

Exotic, I think MNHQ are working on revamping topics. Local had a big revamp recently.

There was a little push a while ago to post WWYDs IN WWYD topic but I don't think it lasted long.

Yes, as jux said.

Perhaps if people have tweaking suggestions, there could be a new thread started? I was enjoying reading the on-topic posts.

Indeed Boffy, I was too.

Since joining mn four years ago, I've lurked far more than I've posted but I feel I've learnt so much about the challenges that other people face, different points of view etc. I do genuinely feel it has widened my outlook on the world. It's also made me laugh more times than I can remember.

I also credit the stories, links and words of wisdom on here for the wonderful experience that was DS2's home birth. Previously, I'd have dismissed it as being "too risky" or "not for me" but the wise women of mumsnet showed me that this was emphatically not the case.

In addition, the ladies on the Dec 2012 threads have been a constant source of support. Even though I've not always contributed the most, knowing that there are other people going through the same things at the same time has been massively reassuring. A few weeks ago, when I was in a bit of a state about something, they were there for me straight away. Thank you .

Oh, and DH and I have both registered with Anthony Nolan after reading about Billie and Aillidh.

Not bad for a nest of vipers....

I have an on-topic post.

I am not a weepy type but this made a little bit.

I've just moved into a new house with a garden and an absolutely lovely woman whom I don't know in the slightest has sent me a whole selection of seeds to plant. And loads of instructions with them, and a little card.

It sounds so cliched but honestly, it has made me a little bit weepy - what a lovely thing to do.

MNers are incredibly kind.

I don't find any problems on the SN boards themselves (apart from the odd difference of opinion from posters) but there is often disablism on main board threads. Thankfully MNHQ are more on the ball with deleting them these days.

I'm not sure I agree with defending MN tbh. Let them think what they like. But:

I remember a lady with stomach pains who was refusing to go to hospital. She was nagged and nagged on here until she went to A&E and diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy.

And, oh my God - Boilerwoman. I had forgotten Boilerwoman. I wonder what happened to her. She was in dire straights and was posting for support daily on here for ages.

And the lovely mumsnetter who turned up at p p p p Bird Land to witness a M'netter's two-timing boyfriend being stood up, so that she could report back to us all.

I don't often see NetMums quoted in the press. I wonder why? I think Mumsnet has become lazy shorthand for a snarling middle aged, middle class, SE england, loud, smug mum with iterestingly named children.

'Mumsnet is my google when I want to not only know about something, but to get real user feedback sort of thing?' - yes, I agree. I have found out about so many things here. Saved money, found resources ... whenever I am in doubt, I try here first. That is always my defence when my husband and children complain about me hogging the PC - 'if it wasn't for Mumsnet ...'.

Personally I don't see why a thread can't evolve a little, after 300 + posts after all ? But that's probably partly the way my mind works ... Just JugglingFromHereToThere (with perhaps a touch of attention deficit)
But sure, I was enjoying the "on topic" posts too, so as you were !

I'm not a mum (Sadly, things didn't work out). I have godchidren and nieces and nephews. I would not be your typical MNer.

But I have asked for advice and a friendly ear about times in my life where it wasnt all plain sailing, and name changed for it, so it would have been like a first posting.
The replies made me weep, the fact that total strangers took the time out to offer support and just listen/read.

I've posted re frustrations with a course I am doing, looking for suggestions for an idiot proof guide/book to one of my modules. Again a lovely total stranger sent me her textbook for the bewildered and refused payment or postage.

I asked for advice on where to buy Nambarrie teabags in London. No one know, but a lovely Mnetter has actually gone shopping and posted me some.

This place has a wide range of personalities, some are cranky and difficult vipers, most are lovely.
Overall, its like a big family. You'll get told some home truths if you are being an idiot but when things go wrong, you just get enveloped in a big (woolly) hug.

Yy this is one of the loveliest threads I've ever read on MN. Lets save the personal thoughts on how HQ can do it better for another thread and keep this one on topic.

Actually there are a lot of cliquey arseholes. However, about 18 months ago I was having a horrendous time at work, 7 months pregnant and unable to sleep and katiemiddleton (hr expert) answered me at 3am and I will never forget her kindness. Thanks Katie, and fwiw I just took vol red with a massive pay out and started my own business because I got my confidence back.

i was discussing this earlier after i saw www.baby.co.uk/mum_stories/20130410-does-the-school-gate-bitch-fest-really-exist/

ive seen the odd snipey comment but my personal experience, its been positive xx

Mn has been a wonderful source of support and friendship for me for 8 years. Have met some amazing women and witnessed so much genuine kindness, generosity and humanity on MN.
The good on MN far outweighs the bad.
Have got the MN love back again recently

I've been on mumsnet for over 6 years now. Sometimes I use it a lot sometimes less so.

I've had wonderful support when my dad was very ill in hospital, help with ideas for promoting dh's work (self employed builder), support with pnd, postnatal threads, I think ds4 was a live homebirth thread, wonderful mumsnetters have sent me things, i was nominated for the christmas appeal and was so touched by the kindness of strangers, more recently the postcard thread which I think has already been linked.

Mn is often the first place I turn, people don't always agree with me and vice versa, I don't always get the answer I want but I do always, without a doubt get help, support and advice.

Giraffe and Expat - and everybody who supported , helped prayed whatever . It was amazing , moving, sad.
The pink balloons.
Recently lemon truffles whos husband sadly died . The posts on those threads were really lovely.
The first secret santa that went wild. I remember somebodys husband taking a slide in his van up north or something!
The friendships that have formed with people you have never met. AntiNatal / Post Natal NOv2008 were/ are a wonderful bunch .
Little Italy now 26,000 +posts it all started with somebody asking for a true Italian chicken broth recipe. Can't beleive that we have posted 26,000 posts of nastiness.....
My first laugh was a old timer posting that maybe the spicy chinese chicken for dinner was a bit too hot when her dd ran through the room shouting ' ouch ouch my bottom is on fire.

I was incredibly touched to be nominated for a Christmas gift last year and all for knitting some squares... little did Mumsnet know that I had had a really tough 18 months at that time following a redundancy, in all honesty I was at risk of losing my house... and that note made me sob like a baby. For some reason my luck took a turn for the better, a two month temp job spun out to almost six months and they are currently looking to create a permanent role for me.

I cannot tell you how chuffed I was when one of my gifts was based around sewing from a button necklace and bag charm to a fancy pins... I cried again. Over the last few weeks my knitting and crocheting mojo has returned and a bunch of squares are growing on my coffee table ready for posting.

Thank you everyone, from my SS to the peeps who make me laugh out loud and splutter at my screen or those who make me shout at it for being unreasonable... I loves you all

I came on here when DS was born 8 years ago as I was expressing breast milk for him, exhausted by the process and worried about milk production.

I received practical and supportive advice and have stayed on ever since.

MN has been part of my life as a mother. I don't have a mother in my life to lean on for support, so in many ways it's done the job for me:

Relationship support - it gave me strength to see that my life, wants and needs matter as much as anybody else's.

Stately homes - to talk with other people who have toxic parents and realise I am not alone

Practical advice - I don't have a lot of RL friends with kids who understand the importance of settling in at school, party invite issues and wanting to do the best for the children in your life.

During different stages of motherhood and marriage I have dipped into Forces Sweethearts, and now Living Overseas. It's just nice to know there are people in similar situations having the same feelings as you.

It's turned me into a more patient, understanding person. I read about 50% more threads than I post on, and find them very informative. I have much more rounded opinions because of them. I have better opinions of women too, actually. Both my parents were misogynistic, I went to a college with only 6 girls. I have a fishwife's mouth and sense of humour and love the humour I find on here.

It's also good to know that I'm not the only lunatic in this world getting excited about Christmas in September, or foaming at the mouth over a piece of camping equipment.

This place and all you, yes, YOU wonderful ladies out there are my saving grace.

I find MN invaluable, whether it be for support, or just to come for a laugh and forget about 'life'.

I wish I had known about MN when I had my DCs, especially when I lost my little boy. I have a feeling I would not have felt as alone and as much of a failure as I did back then. However, having been on here a few years now, and having 'talked' about what happened to me and my family, has made me see that I am indeed not alone, or a failure.

I have also learnt loads about many varying topics, and I think that the people here and advice offered has helped shape me into a better person.