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

The BraveBabes Battle Bus is a thread of support, humour and kindness for those with alcohol related problems. It is, quite literally, a life saver and mners from all over the UK go out of their way to support and sometimes meet in RL, those who need hand holding. Once, it was Ds birthday and I was broke. He wanted a DS ( are you following this) which I couldn't afford, and someone sent me a brand new one for him to have on his birthday. sniff

MN has been an amazing source of knowledge and support for me.

A couple of years ago I posted a brutally honest op in chat about the terror I was feeling as I began to miscarry at 12 weeks. The outpouring of love and support was incredible and, as the inevitable happened, lots and lots of posters looked after me and kept a virtual eye on me.

I went on to ttc (and mc) again and the ttc after mc people, the freakout room and then totally grads helped me finally get my beautiful ds2.

I will be eternally grateful to MN.

Hello lovely MNers :)

Over the last 3ish years, I have kept The Brave Babes threads running in Relationships (because that's where the first thread was posted and with very good reason) from the first few threads that were posted for purely selfish reasons. To keep myself sober.

Whilst the threads help lots of posters to get sober, stay sober or change the way that they drink, the threads also help lurkers.

Those who are perhaps a little scared to say out loud "I drink too much and I'm worried about how I feel about it....." or don't know where to start.

We have regular MNers who NC because they don't want to be 'outed', they're scared and terrified of what might happen once they say "I think I'm an alcoholic" and someone says 'Oooo, hello I know you Mner'

We have MNers who maybe only post the once, or a few times and then go. And then we have MNers who are still on the Bus every day, trying to stay sober, stay in control, stay bloody sane!

For me, MN is a lifeline. My darling son has Complex SN, and the SN Children threads have given me so much support even though I don't often post, and so they don't really know that they also help me so very much. I read them. I cry, laugh and nod. Lots.

There are a number of posters who I admire beyond all possible admiration, for keeping going after losing their precious children or loved ones, being abused and surviving, losing so much of themselves, losing the lives that they thought they would always have.

The posters who had nothing but a mobile, a bag of clothes and their children. Those who needed to run, before 'he' came home. Before 'he' came back to abuse them. Again.

I remember weeping at some of the posts about abusive relationships because of my own experiences.

I remember the day I learnt what a Mooncup? was and ordering one, unsure of the best size and having to ask

I remember the 'We Believe You' campaign because I was part of it, on the front line so to speak.

I remember the lost toy in Blackpool thread was amazing.

I remember Trinity's horrific loss. The numbness in her posts. She's since been one of the Bravest Babes I know and I admire her greatly for the way she has turned her life around following such a cruel and twisted diversion put into her life.

There are SO MANY MNers who have touched my life, I mean really.

They've become a daily part of my life to ask how I am, how my pain is, where I'm up to with my meds, how Nemo got on in PICU, is he home, texts, calls, visits FFS, MNers turning up on my doorstep to help me out with something

I have had presents sent for Nemo 'just because' he's been poorly or not quite himself.

There are too many wonderful Mners who have kept me going to mention in this post but I have laughed until I needed a fresh TenaLady? and I have cried until DH has said what on earth has happened with utter horror in his voice thinking that the absolute worst has happened, and on here, it had.

But I have smiled until my face ached

There are posters who got out of violent relationships and survived. Just like I did, I wish I'd known about MN then, when I was being raped, abused, beaten, used and attacked.

The support on here blows me away. Each and every day.

At Christmas, I spent days crying as more and more wonderful boxes of gifts arrived each day. I had no idea that people cared so much about my family, my darling boy Nemo and my wonderful DD.

I've met MNers in real life, I have forged so many strong, real, lovely and true friendships from joining MN.

What does Mumsnet really mean to me?

Seeing people survive through the darkest times in their lives because of the kindness of strangers. People helping, driving miles, delivering a teddy, food, money, Wolly Hugs, getting someone to a safe place, holding a hand, fighting a corner, and even taking about Yoni massaging

That is what Mumsnet means to me, in the shortest possible post!!

Thank you HelenMNHQ et al for being who you are, and letting us be who we are too :) xx

PS - sorry for any typos, I'm shattered after a long day of playing with the boy. Sorry for the long waffling post and thank you if you read it :)

well said Mouse

I agree with Zombie: "...it's the whole package that is MN. The support, the friendships, the laughs, the bunfights - they all play a part."

I found MN after my first mc and it's seen me through a total of 3 mc and also 2 wonderful healthy babies. The support couldn't have been bettered. I've made many friends and have met some in RL.

MN has had many fantastic campaigns, such as "let girls be girls" and for better mc care. As for the WoollyHugs and support for the bereaved, words fail me.

Some of my closest friends I met through MN. We chat every day. We met on the Conception board and are supporting each other through TTC, conception, infertility, miscarriage.... and just life in general.

I don't know how the last three years would have been for me if it wasn't for them.

I have also learned a tremendous amount about life, the universe and everything, and become a more tolerant and knowledgeable person.

And by the way...and yes, I am going to out her...it was mouse that sent the DS for my son to open on his birthday. Who put a huge smile on his face. Who made him feel equal and cool with his classmates.
Without MN in general, and the brave babe threads in particular, my life would be poorer.

mouse, you are wonderful.

All the brave babes are.

I read it Mouse . Am lurker on your wonderful thread .

I think you have said what Mumsnet does every single day of the year night and day . For so many people with so diverse needs including much needed humour at times .

Any journo lurking please read and listen to all these voices eh?

And erm no I dont have a degree ,am one of the oldies and live far away from Muswell Hill where we still race whippets and wear flat caps .

Fabulous post Mouse .

Mouse is a really beautiful soul. I have 'met' so many of them here on mumsnet.

All the ante-natal threads where we compare aches, pains, niggles and we realise we aren't ill, or losing our marbles, we're just pregnant.

Leading onto the post-natal threads where we carry on comparing aches, pains, niggles, marble losing, sleepless nights etc.

CupofTea was on my last ante-natal thread and reading Bea's story broke my heart and still makes me cry. But the support she was offered, real life practical support as well as moral support was fantastic.

There was also a thread a few years ago from someone who had £30 to live on for about 3 weeks, she was asking for advice on what food she could buy that would healthily feed her for that long. There was lots of food advice, but also lots of people offering to give her things out of their cupboards, she resisted for a long time refusing to say where she lived or accept help but after about 10 days (and a lot of pestering from generous and persistent Mners) she relented and someone sent her a food parcel.

I've loved reading the planning advice MrsDeVere had regarding her neighbours bungalow gym.

Hello everyone.

I love mumsnet. It's very funny, very informative, lively, warm hearted and very, very supportive.

I posted here at the beginning of this year when my wonderful DH was very, very ill in hospital, and I could hardly sleep at all for days; I was utterly, utterly terrified, exhausted, and had no one to talk to in the middle of the night. My husband died, and I was distraught. The kindness and support I received from dozens of people here was amazing, just amazing. Then a series of strange and extraordinary things happened to me, some of which I wrote about on here. I am also beyond lucky to be having a very beautiful blanket made for me by Woolly Hugs.

I still cry with a sort of awe and love at the kindness and benevolence of all the many, many people who have supported me this year at the worst time of my life.

Mumsnet is amazing.

btw I am neither middle class or well-off and I don't live in SE England (but my kids do have slightly odd names....) - I definitely don't fit the unpleasant and snipey Daily Mail demographic!

Mouseface, that is a truly great post.

Ive had so much support here when things have been tricky and people to be silly with and have fun. But most of all its a place where I can be me and find others who enjoy the same things that I do.

there is a lot of kindness and general helpfulness on mumsnet.
and humour
and eye-openers
the feminism board is especially enlightening

yes, some women are outspoken but that is part of the charm!
I love you vipers

The ante-natal group who were there for each other through the trials and tribulations of pregnancy and newborns.

The lovely MNer who, in the early days with DC1, told me I hadn't br

Ma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You outed me as The Birthday Fairy for your DS!!!

Good job I luffs you. :)

I am off to bed, leaving DH to watch the Golf. What is it with Men eh?

Thank you all for your kind words about me, that's not why I posted, I posted because MN matters to me because of the vast amount of support it gives thousands of people every single day and night. And because I have met some of my closest friends here :) xx

Night all xx

Oh mouse face, that's lovely

I was just going to add, we have Mousebacon then me, and then MousyMouse all in quick succession!!

I'm really going now.... night all xx

Ooh, nice to see Southsearocks on here, so glad DS is doing well

On a lighter note, OYBBK is the ONLY person I really trust to tell me what the weather is going to do.
Not TheMetOffice, not BBC, not our local weather tooty :) OYBBK is the real deal. No other weather website will do

[stupid phone] broken my baby because BF'g was going wrong.

The insomniacs whose late night posts have been my companion through chemo. Closely followed by the same antenatal group who have cheered me on via FB.

The fact that this site produces sound advice, debate, a voice in the darkness and a hand to hold when you need it.

And more s than you can shake a stick at, whether it's AIBU or troll swiping or sharpening the goats.

For the above, thank you, you evil vipers.

Oh, completely agree, Norks, *OYBBK is THE weather oracle.

I now completely rely on her predictions, or do it the easy way and just look out of the window.

Sorry, forgot a *

OYBBK is THE weather oracle.