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

FWR

My kids are older now so I no longer look for practical advice. I dive straight into FWR. I tell my friends it's the best place I know online for intelligent debate on contemporary feminist thought.

I've lurked a lot but have taken to posting more lately.

So grateful for this forum and Mumsnet's defence of free speech, in a world where free speech is being shut down, with deeply worrying consequences for our democratic institutions.

I joined years ago, had some fantastic advice on breastfeeding, weaning etc.

I stay for the feminist boards, articulate, measured and witty.

but because the twisting of feminism into female protectionism was so distressing to me.

Read 'female protectionsism' as women centreing women.

I use MN cos I'm a nosey sod. I like the Feminist Chat, the Brexit threads and getting a broader view than my own confirmation bias.

But mostly I'm a nosey sod

I’ve been here since 2006 and always come back for parenting advice. I haven’t found another website where the users are as intelligent and informed. I don’t have a lot of family to ask for advice, so Mumsney has filled that gap for me excellently.

Along the way my husband left me, and I ended up with a 2-part post filled with the most supportive and encouraging women. Thanks to that thread I got through the first few weeks, and uncovered the OW.

I also have a group of real life friends that I met through an antenatal thread on here. Im not a prolific poster, I name change now and again, but honestly Mumsnet has had a massive positive impact on my life, and I can’t say that about anywhere else on the internet.

To hear gossip and occasionally ask questions. I lurk a lot.

Feminism and women's rights on mumsnet are entirely parenting related (mothers are parents and daughters are children too) . Or do you think parents aren't concerned with safeguarding? Not sure what you're on about.
Mumsnet=Chris Moyle's now ???????

I came for the swears
I watched in shock at loads of MIL threads.
but FWR is the nuts.

Incidentally I used to go into FWR and wander back out quite quickly as bugger all happened.

Then all of a sudden bang - someone switched the power on, the lights were blinding and a full cascade of dancing queens took to the stage. Hardly go into AIBU these days.

Fucking marvellous.

I don't know what drew me in probably AIBU or some parenting thread.

I stay for the other Women, the discussions sometimes hilarious sometimes heart breaking. The feminism board has opened my eyes to lots of issues not just the transgender debate but day to day misogyny that didn't even register with me. The Women here have made me a stronger more outspoken woman which has lead to my tween daughter being the most amazingly self assured girl.
The support I've had from people when I've posted about my childhood has been amazing and helped me not to go down the road of depression and anxiety.

I signed up to get baby advice, sporadically post on chat / AIBU / S&B / arts and crafts, but the bulk of my time is spent lurking on the feminism boards. I've learnt so much from the amazingly brave and articulate posters on there; it's hugely important that MN continues to allow GC debate even though it must be very diffucult to swim against the tide.

Mainly here for the feminism board. It’s so refreshing to have so many intelligent articulate women discussing our rights.

Use the pregnancy boards too.

I joined years ago for the baby, relationship advice and humour. I have stayed for the feminist boards. They are a bastion of sanity in this current shitstorm. I rarely post but appreciate them massively. Thanks to mnhq for continuing to host and all the fabulous Fwr posters.

Yes Datun maybe they are looking for the sort of users who are so invested they will respond to this. There are obviously millions more who aren't responding.

I came for baby advice, stayed for sharing advice and support. I kept taking breaks because I would spend far too many hours pressing F5!

Then the babies grew older, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding no longer my focuses, and my use of MN tailed off. When I returned to MN I began investigating other boards, like AIBU and Feminism. I have learned so much more from these boards thanI would ever have imagined possible.

I stay because of Feminism. The Feminism boards ressemble the MN of 10-15y ago. Articulate women with so much of value to say and do.

Oh I forgot about another reason I stay is that you can fucking swear!!!!!Without being told that it's unladylike or not respectful... most of the time anyway

I have to say @datun out of all the fab posters on fwr your posts are my favourite. You and bowlofbabel. Always reasonable, factual and measured. Never resorting to mud slinging or cheap shots. Just unapologetically stating your opinion. Just goes to show that feminists aren't all the media makes them out to be - ie hysterical women who hate and fear men. It's shown me that there are many ways to be a feminist. All you've really got to do is be willing to believe that males and females should be equal. And it helps if you're willing to argue the point. Fwr helps me to be more brave in real life because I know I'm not alone, being a very ordinary woman who wants to speak her mind but is afraid to. So thank you.

Molokonono

Parenting advice and discussions, light entertainment in AIBU and Chat, but most importantly the feminism board.

Female dominated spaces are quite rare on the internet and it's really valuable just for that. Even most so-called feminist online spaces are full of men and self-righteous teenagers stifling and derailing everything.

To learn about other people’s lives, to broaden my mind, for light-hearted and funny chat, and for all sorts of practical tips. But mostly for the feminism.

I like to browse the active threads.
I mostly read whichever thread title I find interesting, or think will be entertaining to read.
I read threads that I think may be relevant to my own life.
I used to read a variety of magazines years ago, now I find Mumsnet covers such a wide variety of topics, that I no longer buy or take an interest in any magazines.

And for the discussions about racism. I have learnt so much from reading these discussions. Thank you to the women of colour posting on them.

The only website I've ever found with a feminist slant on everything - parenting, relationships, current events. So many women much wiser than me helping me to put words to my experience. Also the Christmas threads

Lurked on a lot of boards over the years and rarely posted. Dipped a toe into FWR definitely but now I’m there everyday - there is intelligence, camaraderie, activism, humour and empathy in spades over there. To learn new things but also to hear your own thoughts echoed back and to know you’re not alone when it’s difficult to express GC views elsewhere is amazing.

Parking threads.
Hearing different opinions.
Feminism threads - feel like this is the only place where things that need discussing are discussed -although I mainly lurk
Sometimes the downright silliness
The classics - elderly Korean ladies etc