Tell MNHQ why you use Mumsnet

[EllieMumsnet]

Here at MNHQ we would really like to get to know our users better and would therefore love to know why you use Mumsnet and if Mumsnet has managed to help you in any way.

Is the main reason you use Mumsnet for the advice from other users? And if so, what advice do you look for in particular or is it on everything and anything? Do you use Mumsnet as a place to browse the funny threads and have a bit of ‘you’ time? Is it more the product/service reviews and recommendations that you use Mumsnet for? Has the support of fellow Mumsnet users helped you get through a tough time? Or maybe you have created long-term friendships with other users and come on to chat to them.

Whatever the reasons you use Mumsnet and any stories you have on how Mumsnet has helped you, we would love to hear them so please share them on the thread below.

Thanks
MNHQ

I'm here for the feminist boards.

It’s been very helpful for advice, but I also like the virtual ‘company’ at times, esp if I’m having a low day and don’t want to interact with anyone IRL. It helps me feel connected and provides a form of company.

I don’t have children so I did question how relevant the forums would be for me but there’s such a broad variety of chat, there’s something for everyone.

The Feminist Women's Rights boards are the crown jewels of Mumsnet.

I'm mostly a lurker there, but I've learned so much from the wonderful Women who debate, share and inform in that board. I can safely say it changed the way I see the world and influences the way I'm raising my children.

Shame MNHQ doesn't seem to value it as much as its users.

Came via Adoption (when AUK totally screwed up its online community)

Enjoyed AIBU (the gym/bungalow/backgarden thread got me hooked)

Mainly hang out in Education (which probably saved DD1's GCSEs as it made me realise she might qualify for extra time). Occasionally visit SN due to my DD's SpLDs.

And this year, since the Girl Guides issue, I have also ended up a follower of FWR. I salute MN in permitting the discussion to continue when so many places are telling women to be nice, budge over, and shut up.

FWR and AIBU.
Your decision to allow women to speak was singularly courageous and may finally allow discussion of ROGD and stop harming children. So many charities and responsible organisations have abandoned their duty of care and it fell to women to protect them. As a bloke I want to say you are awesome.

Came for the BFing over a decade ago, left, came back after leaving Facebook and happily found the feminism board. Also entertained daily by AIBU, WWYD, AMA, and love the mix of people here which is so different from social media where you only hear from people like yourself.

I came here nearly a decade ago for a bunfight on AIBU. I now have real life friends I met on here. I've stayed because of the wonderful women on Feminists Chat.

I joined in 2007 when pregnant. I'd stumbled across a post that said something like "i can't believe I'm posting online asking for baby name suggestions" and thought, this is the place for me. Its lack of pink fluffiness put it above other parenting sites for me.

Honestly, I think the tone of the site overall has changed a lot in those years, and not for the better. I do occasionally get a glimpse of the old mn - hard to express what that is, I guess mums in need of a trip to the pub meet the chalet school...or something!

Nonetheless I do still read things on here - mainly lurking on FWR (I remember when it was new, and posters like Dittany were there) as well as S&B and the litter tray.

Fwr, Aibu and chat mostly lurk though as am a thread killer ! ☹️

Initially came when I was at the baby stage, for solidarity. That was 10 years ago.

I'm still here for FWR boards, and a bit of procrastination on Style & Beauty. I also lurk on relationships.

FWR is amazing - don't know of anything else like it out there.

You going to rebrand as womensnet??

Feminism lurker. Various other bits and pieces but if the gender critical debate disappears from mumsnet there's not much to stay for.

I've found general advice, intelligence and wisdom across many sections to be brilliant.

What keeps me here - the feminism boards. Seem to be the last place of sanity in an increasingly insane world. I've learnt so much from incredibly smart and committed women.

Secondly would be the mental health boards, again unmatched in my experience. I've been privileged to give and receive support and information which has been soooooo appreciated.

Third, Brexit stuff, the Remain side. Particularly the awesome RedToothBrush!

Thanks mumsnet.

Initially baby and thyroid related many years ago.

Then relationships.

Then funnies.

Now FWR boards; I now know about feminism (and all the different types of feminism) as a result and by proxy how I see feminism being necessary today.

My reasons have changed over the years but I now use it mainly for the feminist chat. I became a radical feminist purely because of what I learned from the wise, brilliant women on the FWR boards.

Oh and the miscarriage board was absolutely invaluable as I could only get real time practical honest support from there.

I use MN mainly for the feminist discussion. I read other bits but it is mainly the feminism that I return to. The women on there are so intelligent and informed - I've learnt loads and revived my feminist leanings from university days. Also browse some of the relationships threads - great to see women getting fantastic support. If I ever needed it (not likely) I would come here for help in an abusive relationship or a break-up.

The feminism, the intelligence, the humour, the informed and thoughtful advice.

But mainly the feminism. We are at a crossroads for women's rights and I think keeping on talking here is part of our best hope of saving our rights.

This is why I do my best to not get kicked out even though I have to grit my teeth. If the feminist discussion was restricted I would walk away and get my housekeeping/SEN/gardening/perfume advice elsewhere.

Found it when my first was born. Was mostly about baby stuff then - equipment, sleeping, weaning etc.

Now stay for feminism chat and parking outrages!

I can't remember how I found Mumsnet, but it was long before I had children and I had never seen another forum like it. Women, lots of them, talking intelligently about everything from family life to feminism to hilarious tales of CFery. I have been hooked ever since. I mostly lurk the Active page and read mainly feminism, AIBU, and relationships topics.

In addition to my post above I also found MN invaluable when I had my first baby. It was my go to for advice on pushchairs, car seats, weaning, breastfeeding, the lot really!

I have also used The Staffroom, General Health and the books section quite a lot.

Basically it's my go to for everything.

My mantra is 'what does MN think?'

To talk to other women about a whole range of topics without cheesy tickers, pop up ads and fake niceness.

Had never used mumsnet although I'd heard about it and came to the feminist boards early this year by after being horrified by the violence and lewdness of transactivists on twitter and realising they hated mumsnet. Found a community of awesome women. I've been inspired by many especially TheBewilderness (who sadly has been expelled from I now wander onto other trending threads.

I was initially shocked by the forthright ness of posters on AIBU and came to realise this is women when they aren't having to please men and it's wonderful. As is the support there for women in difficult situations. If only I'd realised the underlying feminism of all the boards years ago (whether those posters realise it or not).

Name changed a few times so I'm not identifiable as I noticed a couple of the threads I started (under different names) causing consternation and annoyance among transactivists on twitter.

So love the ability to be anonymous, I don't say anything here I wouldn't (and don't) say to family and friends but not yet brave enough to go fully public and protest in public but getting there.

My adult elder son is awestruck by the power and solidarity of the women on mumsnet

Another very keen reader of (and occasional poster on) Feminist chat here.
I also like AIBU, S&B especially Perfumista threads and Books. Plus the Litter Tray for an occasional cat fix.
Have spent far too much money after reading Mumsnet Swears By.....

But first, last and foremost -- FWR.
I echo what almost everyone has said about it but I wanted to add that this board is what will keep me coming back to MN.
@MNHQ and advertisers please take note.

I used to post on music and gaming forums, but as I grew older I switched to MN for two key reasons:

1. because it was more interesting and fitted better with where I was in life
2. you could have conversations still, without being harassed by men or spoken to live you were a child or generally getting online abuse

I also had a particular interest in the childbirth section, because I had personal problems which related to it. It was a great place of support. And in the end giving support to others going through the same. It wasn't a one way thing.

When I was having DS I used the antenatal threads.

These days, I generally love MN for the politics, for the live tv events (Big Brother for many years, but also sport, Eurovision or whatever it happens to be) or just letting off steam.

Having a young son I find it hard to have a social life in other ways.

I prefer MN to other forums of social media, because it does not suffer from the same issues of online abuse of women in the same way, plus you can have a proper conversation (which 280 characters does not allow).

Its a great level and gives you incites into the lives of others you wouldn't come across in other areas of life. Its generally less of an echo chamber to a lot of other places, even though it can suffer from some bias.

The people here - both the men and women - are funny, intelligent, inciteful and good company. The culture is a sum of its parts and it has is worth more than individual sections alone.