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

There are so many good things about Mumsnet, here are just a few.

The generosity of Mumsnetters is a wonderful thing. I've seen so many kind of offers of practical help, food, baby stuff, toys, lifts, somewhere to stay, etc.

When I had a lump in my breast I received so much support that I really needed as I had no-one to discuss my fears with in real life.

The kind words and just knowing people were there when my dad died.

I bloody love this nest of vipers.

I can't tell you all the wonderful things about Mumsnet, there are just too many to write about. I remember in my early days, 'watching' misdee's DH have his transplant and waiting, with baited breath, for the post to say he was ok. I remember the 'Peter's pink' post so well. Never before had I felt so connected & worried about a family I'd never met. All these women, like me, who'd never met Peter & probably never would, sitting, waiting for news. And now, years later, I still think about that. Other tragedies too - Yorkiegirl's DH, Expat's beautiful DD, ggglimpo's Maude... so many awful things that made so many of us pull together and lead to such long lasting friendships.

There's all the lovely happy things too, the day-to day stuff. And obviously the Christmas appeal. I've donated in the past and, for the first time, was nominated last year. I was so touched... it had been a truly awful year and it made my day to know that someone had noticed & thought of us enough to nominate us. And then the kind soul who spent their money and sent a gift for my family which is truly cherished. I often think about that - the kindness of a random stranger.

More personally, mumsnet has been a life-saver. Literally. It has been there through my horrendous divorce, an awful custody battle, serious mental health problems and chronic illness. I honestly don't know where I'd be without the support and advice of MNers. There's always someone here who will be able to offer helpful advice or who will just keep me company & chat to me in the wee small hours when then rest of the world is sleeping & only the insomniacs or people with small babies are about.

I know that there'll always be someone on Mumsnet who will know the answer to my dull questions about which steam cleaner to buy or where to get decent bed linen or slightly odd questions that google cannot help me with. There will always be someone who has been in a similar situation & makes you feel less bonkers by admitting it

I'm not in a good way at the moment & it's hard for me to gather my thoughts and type, so this is not eloquent (although I did try to check my spelling, use paragraphs and no text speak ). I deactivated my FB account yesterday but have had 8 MNers contact me to see if I am ok. What's that, if not a caring community? Honestly, for all the high-profile bitchiness, trolls and negative stories that are picked up on in the media, there must be hundred of positive things that go unreported.

I am a long-time MNer & have no plans to leave. Certain MNers have become some of my very good friends in RL & I am thankful for everything.

AND, The Fonz spoke to me first in his webchat and Yotam Ottolenghi answered my question & wished me well. Hurrah!

MN helped me to see that I was not the only one finding it tough with a new born and a broken down episiotomy. I learned how to have a pain free wee and since then I've been entertained daily by this amazing gathering of funny and clever women. Makes me a bit cross seeing mumsnet bad mouthed in the press really. I think it's wonderful. And you can do swears.

Mumsnet Lovelies?

The Woolly Hugs crew - the most inspirational, compassionate and generous hearted bunch of folk who never fail to amaze, at home and from as far away as New Zealand, Thailand, Middle East, Canada, all corners of the globe.

They genuinely care so much for others, they give up time, money and energy because they want to help. You won't always see it either, it's not done for show. They never shy away from things that are difficult or challenging - actually look at what Woolly Hugs does, it's not easy.

It just shows how many wonderful people there are here, who go out of their way to be kind, restores your faith in humanity it does. Lots of photos of things lovely folk have made here

This from one of our recipients..

In our darkest days true love and compassion came from others whom we have yet to know but feel I can call friends

Nest of vipers? My arse, and I feel very protective. Mumsnet is a proper community with a heart of gold. Occasional spiky edges, yes, but its heart couldn't be bigger or beat more strongly.

I love the way that MNers go out of their way to help and make a difference in big, important and scary situations. But I also like when they go out of their way to help with something seemingly unimportant or trivial that makes a huge difference, often to DCs.

I particularly enjoyed the saga of the family tuna where MNers sourced and kitted out a soft toy caterpillar to fit with a lovely story invented by a DC so said her toy caterpillar's Dad was away fighting a war. Said caterpillar then hitched a ride on Santa's sleigh complete with parachute.

There was another pre Christmas thread where a poster had tried to get her 3 DC matching Spiderman onsies from a supermarket. She had managed to get two but the third was out of stock and Mners from all over searched their local stores until one was found.

Whenever I need any help with ANYTHING be it sensitive personal stuff or unimportant stuff like getting static out of a dress just before a wedding. I come here.

My mum died 8 years ago when DC1 was 6 months old. All the questions I imagine I should be asking her, I ask (or search the archive) here.

Mumsnet has literally become my mum.

Oh. Dear. God. Still new to Mumsnet (second day). Is it always like this?? These women could move mountains, conquer the globe, wipe out war (and start some). In my head I have a marvellous fantasy experiment of the Cabinet being made up of MN women. It would only take a week. And this was merely from one thread about Yoni massage...

Nickelbabe's live birth thread was brilliant. Well it spanned 4 threads in the end I think. Everyone willing her on.

In for another....

Really kind hearted folk sending all sorts of stuff from bedding to uniforms and baby stuff. stuff they no longer need, but others do.

The amazing support on the weight-loss threads - just awesome

The amazing support on running threads, this a Woolly Hugs one but there are so many others, all brilliant, here

Thank you to Mumsnet for all the inspiring and simply fabulous friends I have made who are now good friends in real life too.

For finding fellow gin lovers! Huzzah! I was alone in my love for gin until I found you MNHQ [hearts]

I may well be back......

And the clinging together when children go on school trips to forrin parts Piste.

Oh yes, bless you and bless Boppard Xx

How will we be when they leave home??

We'll do it together Sparkling

You'll only be back for the gin, Pistey ...

Yes we will Piste. (For anyone wondering both my DS and Piste's DS went to Boppard, Germany on separate school trips-and actually came back!)

We believe Boppard is still standing........

I posted this week about feeling fucking suicidally depressed low, and I was overwhelmed with kindness and support. And today the postman delivered a book (which is why this is my first visit to MN today!) of Nancy Mitford's letters and a couple of DVDs from the famous and original atrocious cunt GetOrf. She is an angel of loveliness, and like so many of you here, the heart in a heartless world. Thank you .

I came to MN after a miscarriage to try and make sense of it all, as I was struggling to talk about it in RL.

MN supported me through my two children's pregnancies, births, babyhood whilst I fought PND, and toddlersoms whilst I dealt with cards I hadn't foreseen being dealt.

On top of it all (all the tears/laughter/wisdom/debates/whimsical wonder threads) I found 11 wonderful women who are now very dear friends in RL on here, through a mutual love of canvas tents (sad drunkards that we are ;) )

People who just drop in miss the wonderful gems. In every pub there is the loud mouthed bore who everyone hopes will pass out soon so everyone else can get on with a fab night out - here AIBU is that twat, the rest of it is a wonderful place

I used the word wonder too many times in that post

MNHQ you get the drift

The generosity of mners never ceases to amaze me - not just with materials things but also with their time and expertise, advice given freely

I wonder whether part of the problem is that many high-profile people who liked mumsnst would be unlikely to publicise that fact as they would draw attention to the fact that they're on the site and would risk their anonymity and privacy

I'm no one important and despite the fact I think MN is fab I don't go around telling anyone because I want to maintain privacy on here

I'd like to mention the huge support given to mums and families with poorly children in hospital, like trazzles, always folk ready to help. listen and hand hold and there are so many threads like this. I saw someone mentioned clutchingpearls earlier. Mumsnetters don't give up on folk, they don't post and forget, they stay, and they are around at all times of the day and night. Love and support, fabulous bloody vipers they are.

How many are turns are we allowed Helen?

Not forgetting the lovely PMs that get sent and received.

MN has been a real lifeline. I have got advice on my son's SN, people have been supportive through all the difficult times we've had with the crisis, even the "poor you, hope it gets better soon" messages mean something. One lovely Mumsnetter has sent me quite a large number of books, all the way to Greece, it must have cost her a lot in postage!

The lovely first language Welsh speakers on the Welsh threads offering their time to help learners and give advice, tips, make corrections.

Sometimes, the most important thing about MN is the humour. Sometimes, lightheartedness is exactly what you need and you can always find it on MN!

Some beautiful lovely Mner's sent me a gorgeous bouquet of flowers and a bottle of champagne just after New Year. DH had been poorly in hospital between 16th December to the 5th Jan. it was very much appreciated and a fab welcome home for DH.

DS1 rang me when I was on the way to the hospital to pick DH up and said "I think some mumsnetter's have been at it, at least that's who i think x x x x and x is! You have a delivery" .

It is a lovely lovely feeling to be thought about..