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

I'm so glad this thread has been started. I love mumsnet. Yes, you get a lot of negative but you get that everywhere and as long as people can rise above (and not throw too many buns) then things are fine.

I name changed a while back as I was so embarrassed about a problem I had. It literally took all my courage to start a thread but I was so desperate and in a really really dark place. The responses I got and the help I found literally saved me. I was considering 'other options' as things had got so bad but some amazing people helped me through and I'll never ever forget that.
I wouldn't have been able to reach out in rl so having mumsnet really helped.

You lot have literally changed my life, for the better.
Thanks

Feeling better yet Helen & co?

Have a good w/e & hope you all get a little sunshine.

@Bossybritches22

Feeling better yet Helen & co?

Have a good w/e & hope you all get a little sunshine.

Lots of practical advice on the London 2012 threads about travel options, buggy parks etc.

The people who answered my thread during this horrible week when I posted for advice on my daughter's health, particularly because there are MH issues and RL people would never be so open. Outweighs any viperishness (though I suspect that is more to do with general discomfort with wimmin having strong opinions and having the gall to express them).

We need a tissue emoticon sometimes !

New name, look
I'd never have met the rest of the Puddlehumpers without MN & the support & understanding & sheer fun I've had from them has been wonderful. Also what snice said about becoming more tolerant.

I'm sorry about that other poster though, exoticfruits

People have all mentioned the big things.

For me personally it was that MN was such a massive source of support when I had PND after I had DS1 - especially all the lovely ladies from the Slatterns/Procrastinators thread, past and present.

exotic :( I hope she is finding some comfort somewhere else.

I'm particularly impressed by the barristers and solicitors who give their time and advice for free on the legal issues board, the doctors and nurses on the health boards, not to mention the planning officers on that epic thread about the illegal house gym being built in a neighbours' backyard. But the general support and hand-holding for those going through incredibly difficult times in their personal lives - divorces, deaths, sick family members - is also amazing. MN, by and large, is a force for good and for hope in the world.

Sat here waiting for next viewing, the feels oddly quiet. Do you guys put music on?

MN helped me through the early days with the incredible non sleeping baby (no more than 2 hours at a time for the first 4 months!), TikTok kept me breast feeding when I was ready to give up (but desperately wanted to carry on), the BOM ladies kept me sane when DSD was playing up (and 4 years on we have a great relationship) and my MMC was correctly diagnosed after I posted a "TMI" thread in chat.

I was also helped through the awfulness of my near split with DH and was able to come through it stronger, more confident and with a clearer vision of the way ahead for us, that 4 years on is still working.

I've been a part of sending cash, food, desert combats (!), postcards and stamps to MNers and their families.

I've been able to provide specific 'military' guidance to worried mums and spouses and I'm proud to have joined, and persuaded DH to join the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Register.

Oh and thanks to the MN Product Testing of the Phillips 'Man Iron' DH now spends Sunday afternoons doing the weeks ironing - I haven't had to iron ANYTHING for over a year . That alone is worth my MN Membership and

I HATE all the negativity in the press about MN. Dickheads come on here, spend half an hour in AIBU and think that is all there is. They don't spend any time getting to know the site or seeing all the good it does.

MN has helped me, educated me, made me more tolerant and understanding and allows me to mix happily with hundreds of people across a HUGE spectrum. From SAHMs to Doctors to Lawyers, people struggling on benefits to those who own Islands! Where else can you get that?

I have personally found so much support here through all the ups and downs of the past few years: helpful, sage and practical advice from the employment board when I was dealing with bullying at work, support and friendship on the conception threads when I struggled to conceive, support and sympathy (and distraction) when I did conceive and promptly suffered from hyperemesis, great friends on the ante natal threads, practical advice and much sympathy and wise words since Ds arrived (non-sleeping baby threads, breastfeeding, severe eczema and allergies...)
And now I am back almost at the beginning again, getting wonderful support and advice on the hyperemesis support thread, and making new friends on the ante natal thread
Plus of course through the long nights of breastfeeding, and the long lonely days of hyperemesis, I am enjoying the diversion of all the funny mumsnet threads...
And I hope that sometimes I have added words of support that have helped someone in some small way

There are amazing supportive threads on here every day, and they far outnumber the bitchy ones. And often it is hard to realise the humour behind 'bitchy' comments once they are lifted out of context and placed in an article (for e.g.)

Mn has been such a support to me over the last year and a bit, making me laugh and cry in many ways, I have been astounded at the support given, one in particular I remember that a mum was stuck at home and needed calpol desperately, and someone took some round for her.
On a personal note dd1 has just entered teens and its been a rocky road to say the least, but I have had support with all aspects of that, from her pretending to self harm and drink bleach to her being wonderful but messy!
And dd2 had a rubbish birthday, being ill on the day, combined with being ill at Christmas she was feeling really low but has a full thread from all over the world of birthday wishes and poems and songs and she still look at that thread and sings the songs!

Anything and everything is discussed here and under the watchful eye of MNHQ.
perhaps some other sites should take heed of how things are run on here and maybe then internet bullying and other horrid things can be policed better.

Wonderful site.

I think the problem is the way the site is set out.
I don't bookmark it. I google mumsnet and go in through AIBU - which is very prominent and certainly shows the angry side ( journalists may not get beyond it) I have a quick look to see if there is anything interesting. I then log in. I go to threads I am on, see what has been added and respond. I will go on responding until it dies or I get bored, whichever happens first - about 50/50.
Next I scroll down last 15mins and see what takes my interest and that is usually it. Often I never get beyond 'threads I am on'. If it all seems boring I will go to unanswered questions and as a last resort education or primary education and that is it.
It does lead me to wade in occasionally with opinions that I would be better keeping to myself.
It does sadden me on the 'last 15 mins' to see people's life in turmoil next to utter trivia.
I think that the first impression through AIBU is poor and not representative, but it is all some people see if they google.
If you didn't get taken straight there and you had to search topics rather than last 15 mins I think you would lose a lot of the worst element.
And if I was brave enough to post about a very personal subject I wouldn't want to see it next to things like 'should workmen use your loo'. They should both be there,but they don't mix.

I love MN - have been here since 2007 (also used to frequent Lizzie's shop and the Baaaar ).
Apart from the obvious threads (has anyone mentioned the 'getting milk late in the evening for someone who suddenly acquired a baby' thread yet? - there is also the feeling that all human life is here - and i had no experience of why anyone would (for example) want a homebirth or want to extended breastfeed - let alone what it was like day to day for those with DCs with SN. That alone has helped me to help my DSis.

The other trouble is that you can't keep up with it all. I have just been told that the bereavement post on Tues that upset me had another duplicate that people responded to and I didn't see- so it has a much happier outcome than I thought.

I would say the biggest thank you to the Brookers, we have 3 threads the ttc's the grads and the post grads. Without the support of the ladies of the brookers I would have crumpled under the pressure of continuing ttc. No subject is taboo, they are only ever a message away and I can't say in words how grateful I am. I am a grad of the brookers (due next week) and they still support me, and me them. We have ladies going through assisted conception and we all take each step of that together with a hand hold or a wet fish slap when needed. Every Brooking birth is celebrated by everyone, no jealousy or animosity just unwavering support. It doesn't stop there, after you have your baby and become a post grad you get the most wonderful advice and honest opinions from other post grads but even those who had their little ones months and even a year ago still stand side by side with everyone else to congratulate every BFP. That is the best way I have to say it, but it is not enough!

There is one more I want to say. 2 years ago my teen was diagnosed deaf/blind due to Usher syndrome. I tried and tried to come to terms with it myself, it was so hard. I found myself one night writing a post reaching out for help and advice with no expectation (I had never heard of Usher I didn't expect anyone else to have either) but I had the most wonderful replies and a pm off one MNr who put me in touch with a support group for Usher syndrome where I was picked up, dusted down and supported. I am still involved with the support group now helping other newly diagnosed usher children and supporting/getting support from other families living with it. I would never have found them without MN

Couldn't do without mn.
Support on here is immense.

Mn has got me through my mums funeral, ivf and marriage issues to mention a few things in the 5 years I've been on here.

Plus it's a right laugh most of the time.

Oh and I got a bloody 1700 quid fridge freezer courtesy of mumsnet. I mean Jesus Christ!

The tamoxifen thread - when I was diagnosed and now treated for breast cancer. The most pragmatic, sensible and sensitive group of women.

MN is like being in the company of the wisest, kindest, funniest friends who are never tired, never bored and endlessly inventive.
I have made lovely friends here, cried over children I never met,laughed myself silly and even found a spectacular member of staff

I particularly love the 'hive mind' which can come up with a solution to a problem, tell you whether YABU, dress you, feed you, improve your sex life and help you buy kitchen appliances.

And of course I love the generosity and support, from the major projects like Billie's Blankets, to tiny things like someone being there in the middle of the night when you are in pain or worried.

It is more than just a website, a forum or 'words on a screen'. It is a proper, real community and I thank you all for allowing me to be part of it.

But I don't own any Uggs. :(

Oh, and the nicknames - you couldn't make them up!