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 in the main. I mostly browse the feminist boards and I find the warmth, support and intelligence really cheering when I’m feeling bleak about the future of women’s rights. FWR is kinder and funnier than anywhere else on mumsnet.
I look at threads style and beauty, general stuff on Active, and like reading tips on products.
I also at relevant threads on parenting, and education, that are relevant to my family, or where I have experience and can offer an opinion.

Hugely amused and slightly baffled that feminists being interested in 'female protectionism' is a bad thing for women.

Joined for baby advice (at dh's suggestion actually) and that was really good....then discovered Relationships/FWR and that suddenly a lot of my experiences pre and post parenting made a lot more sense, and I wasn't going mad.

Lurked on Stately Homes & similar and went NC with one of my parents which I should've done YEARS ago, had I but known that was an option.

Now following some of the Brexit threads and continue to be blown away by the knowledge of members on here.

Yes some days I just want to find something amusing (love a good CF thread ), but mostly this is my source of enlightenment.

I posted a bit when pregnant with my first and asked for a bit of advice after he was born. I came back about a year or so ago, I mostly spend my time being amused by the AIBU board and I dip in and out of others.

Tbh the feminist boards make me want to leave pretty often and I find myself hiding many threads as I am a feminist with very different views to most on there when it comes to the obvious subject and I find it very much an echo chamber so I stay away from those now.

I’ve been here for best part of a decade, starting with breastfeeding, ttc, miscarriage then larger families and property sections.
Always dipped into chat /aibu. Started reading fwr about 3 years ago and it’s been life changing for me. So important and I’m delighted to see how many other posters feel the same.
I do miss some of the banned posters such as thebewilderness, maryz, posie amongst others and am always grateful for the amazing posters who put so much time into that board. Keep thinking of the lurkers!

I came for the penis beaker and stayed for FWR and very occasionally AIBU if there is overlap.

Joined about seven years ago, drawn in by AIBU and chat, which were just enjoyable places for discussions and chit-chat. Moved on to Adult Fiction (as it then was), which was great for tips about what to read. Also dipped in to In the news from time to time. About a year or so ago discovered FWR and since then haven't looked back. It's the only place I can go to discuss a particular issue, and it's full of intelligent, knowledgeable women - a haven of sanity on the internet. I still have a look on AIBU and What we're reading occasionally, but much more rarely.

I'm only here for the feminism! Thank you MNHQ for letting us talk freely!

Joined for the discussion, then the special needs boards, then the chat threads, then the feminism as it’s one of the few places where women aren’t silenced.
MN has been there for masses of stuff.

I arrived a very very long time ago fvia the bereavement board, and valued it very very highly.

Feminism board used to be gereat but are now bully central so I avoid posting. For a while it looked like the rest of mn might stay useable, but it looks like AIBU will go the same way with thread after thread of anti trans propaganda.

I do hope mnhq runs a survey with a representative sample of their users for this thread topic, rather than this self selecting. All too easy for a thread like this, or a webchat or fb live thread, to be dominated by single issue groupings that see an opportunity to big themselves up and pile in.

I can only speak for myself but I consider myself amongst lots of thinkers and different points of view on here (a good thing).

I am completely heartened by the amount of people that say they are here for the feminism. Lots will be like me: usually lurking but learning and taking heart from other people’s messages.

I joined when I was having a few problems breastfeeding DD. Mumsnet pretty much saved my sanity during the early days and the lengthy cluster feeds what with the wit and the helpful advice and the swearing.

If I'm in the market for a big purchase, I always consult both Which and Mumsnet. Currently toying with the idea of getting an Instant Pot after reading about it on here, not that I need any more gadgets tbh.

I love a parking thread and a CF thread. I used to spend a lot of time over in Camping which is odd as I don't really like camping. AIBU is always entertaining.

What really keeps me coming back these days is FWR, which as far as I can tell is unique on the internet. That awkward baby is now on the cusp of puberty and I fear for a future where she can't set her own boundaries. Well done Mumsnet for hosting the discussion.

There are loads of people mentioning FWR, it’s true. But I’m not in MN just for or because of FWR - but because this is predominantly a women’s space in a world of male-dominated spaces.

I love Housekeeping, and the Christmas threads, and Chat, and Education, and Relationships. And FWR. MN in general is a mine of information and fellowship between women.

I joined because BABIES!! All the baby things - breastfeeding, sleep, weaning, toddlers. But as the babies grew I stayed because MN is not just for parents of young children.

I distinctly remember being a mother of a very small person and reading the posters who would add wisdom from children older than my own - and that’s so rare, really, to get that en masse. In real life you have friends at the same age and stage as you, mostly. This is an all-ages-and-stages space and I find it so valuable and hope I can continue to do so as I get older too.

And it’s fucking funny, too.

I do hope mnhq runs a survey with a representative sample of their users for this thread topic, rather than this self selecting. All too easy for a thread like this, or a webchat or fb live thread, to be dominated by single issue groupings that see an opportunity to big themselves up and pile in.

Good idea. But the only 'self-selection' on this thread is 'people who CBA to give MNHQ a response'. There's no 'grouping' - each post is from an independent poster saying what she (and occasionally he) thinks.

Came here when I was pregnant and just posted in my cohort group, went into chat, mostly a lurker. Stay for the feminist discussion board. Thank you for ensuring women still have a voice here to discuss issues that affect us x

I enjoy the general chat, especially baby names, education and fashion topics.

Like a pp above if I were to leave over anything the feminist section would probably factor into that. Some very ugly, ott attitudes displayed there, imo. Other people enjoy it though and not all posters there are that way so I would never want to get rid of it - it's clearly a key part of mn for some.

I'm mainly a lurker. I use mumsnet for advice on "parenting" things such as kids behaviour, food, health (kids' & mine)' pregnancy related health issues, product reviews, cleaning tips, to read other women giving out about how little their DHs do about the house & know I'm not alone :(
I like getting that advice here as I know how diverse the posters are.
For entertainment I love the CF threads, parking & horrible neighbours!
I read with dismay the women in abusive situations and marvel at the amazing posters who galvanise them to get themselves out.

But the board I have learnt the most, spend the most time reading and as a woman, mother, wife and working mum find the most useful and interesting is the Feminist Chat board FWR.
I love Datun's posts, I wouldn't have discovered the amazing Magdalen Burns but for here, Rowantrees, Lang, heresyand witchcraft, there are a few names from months back that have disappeared. I can only assume they were unfortunately banned. I'd love to name check them all. They are clever, witty, articulate & reasonable.

wonga and others:

Do you really think we gather here to bully an oppressed minority? Has it occurred to you that perhaps we are being prevented from talking about women's rights elsewhere on t'internet and in real life, by people who claim to be pro-trans but who are in fact just virulently anti-women?

Recruiting ReSisters. Information gathering and sharing. FWR. Sisterhood.

I originally lurked in education and special needs. Then I noticed there was a feminism section and I popped on there because I'm a feminist who forgot to do much feministing while I was busy with young children.

It was a revelation. So many interesting articulate women discussing feminist issues in a way I had never been part of before. So I joined up, did some more lurking then started contributing myself.

I fell well and truly down the radicalisation portal thanks to those women.

I rarely venture off FWR now.

I came to Mumsnet for advice on conception, misacarriage, baby stuff, but since getting the chat app I've almost forgotten about the website and love reading and contributing there - mostly AIBU, but the Feminism chat has been the most important and informative, especially as the mum of two girls

All too easy for a thread like this, or a webchat or fb live thread, to be dominated by single issue groupings that see an opportunity to big themselves up and pile in.

Oh god, the irony. Most women here have families and washing and more work than they can cope with (but somehow do anyway, just). The AWAs are the ones with the time on their hands......have you seen twitter?

I think, although it doesn't apply to me, that "came for the babies, stayed for the feminism" would be a very cool T-shirt.

Came for the back-to-work advice, stayed for FWR

I originally came here for the teaching stuff when the TES chat became unusable (10 years ago I think?), but then stayed for conception / pregnancy / baby feeding etc boards.
I currently use it for advice on when buying big ticket items, things like swapping to bar soaps and shampoos, and more lately the intelligent discussions on the feminism chat.
I also use it for the occasional MH support