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

MNHQ have the stats, so in the unlikely event that we were all piling on here as part of a feminist conspiracy, they'd see right through it.

I mainly lurk on the FWR boards, but they are pretty much the most important part of MN to me. I've learnt loads (sadly not how to formulate a cogent argument in an instant) and will come here every day to read the threads,

Otherwise - I like to dip in and out of Active threads. Doesn't matter what topic, as long as the title grabs me and doesn't seem to disgusting/ludicrous.

Came for the TTC threads, stayed because the posters aren't idiots.

Came for relationships, lurked for an age. Brexit got me posting.

Eventually read FWR and despite its terrifying reputation eventually posted there. I check FWR as often as i do news sites and twitter, and it's just bloody glorious to be in the e-company of so many interesting, interested, challenging, and rightly disrespectful women.

Came when googling school stuff for an Indian colleague who wanted info. Spent the night snort-giggling at Classics and trying not to wake DH, stayed for Relationships which helped me understand my relationship with my parents and unhappy marriage with XH. Now mainly lurke and occasionally post on FWR. My guilty pleasure is AIBU. Visit multiple times a day.

Found FWR at the start of this year via a link in a James Kirkup article in The Spectator.

So thank you, James....it's been a revelation.

Rat

Some of our children grew to an age where we didn't need advice anymore. Get off your high horse

I came back in 2002 I think give or take a couple of years.

Came for advice, support and light relief.

This place has been a firm support over the years. Less than ideal childhood....no idea how to look after and raise children. Mine are 16 and 18 now,

Woo threads, FWR, pregnancy and labour advice, general chat and AIBU - lots and lots of belly laughs and

I came for the conception and pregnancy boards, miscarriage support then infertility. The UberBarrenGhetto is full of strong and wonderful ladies, and while I wish they didn't have to find themselves there, simply reading the threads and the support they provide eachother has helped me feel less alone.

I now use mumsnet as my wabbing (procrastination) too. Which given I have ADHD means considerable time spent! I read random threads I find on Active Threads, and then of course there is FWR - where I spend most of my time these days. I stumbled on FWR after seeing many trans threads popping up in active, and I figured given the intelligence of most women on Mumset, there had to be more to this than 'transphobia' so went to investigate.

As someone who never considered themselves a feminist and previously would even have considered the label negative, those threads have totally opened my eyes. The contributors on there are such strong and inspiring women. I am forever grateful for the time they devote to explaining and educating so articulately and passionately.
I only hope that women as a group will find their strength and most importantly their voice to start to speak out en mass before it's too late.

While I feel that MNHQ have been heavy handed with their censoring of speech and general kowtowing, I am still incredibly grateful for their courage to continue to host the debate.

I know I went on about FWR earlier, and yeah, women's rights n stuff, I mean it's important, but SPORN

how could I have forgotten SPORN??

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 of course stay for the hilarious hyperbole.

And to point out that if nobody else posts for nearly a week, on whatever issue they want, it is not the fault of people who do post near the deadline.

You snooze you lose. So just bloody stop going on about your own failures.

I started reading a couple of years ago for advice on parenting, but the FWR boards are compulsive reading. So that’s all I read now.

Being able to talk to the amazing, articulate, intelligent women here. Mainly in the Feminism section these days but I love the honesty and humour of AIBU and the support on the other boards.
Happy to hear from the men as a minority but it's the women that make this place.

I joined for advice, for hooked by the humour and the support (eg. Hyperemesis threads). Tried to leave, and came back because of FWR, now I mostly lurk there enjoying the intelligent and thoughtful conversation

FWR, I am in awe of the erudite and articulate women posting there.

FWR

I joined for the SN boards, now I'm mainly here (lurking) for FWR.

I have been around education boards for a decade, but am close to graduation. The elderly parents board has been a huge help during 6 years of supporting a parent with dementia, and I hope the knowledge I have gained over that time has been of use to others. A bit of time browsing through 'property' has increased my general knowledge a lot (I love PigletJohn) with some lurking on diet threads. 'Active' has been my saviour through bouts of insomnia, though there are some heartbreaking posts in the middle of the night.

Generally I had started to realise that as an empty nester I had less to contribute on a parenting forum, and was easing out. Till I found FWR.

This fitted pretty precisely with a frustration that Facebook and Twitter only really allowed for ranting, and not for debate. So people telling me what I should think, with a certainty that if I were to disagree I would be shut down.

MN in contrast has enabled proper and intelligent discussion on a major issue. But more than that has had a major role in upholding the principle of free speech.

I have no doubt that it has been both difficult and painful for MN staff. The levels of vitriol and abuse are staggering. I, for one, am grateful. And when this nasty bit of political history is looked at, I hope your bravery is recognised.

I was on another message board, and other posters kept mentioning things they'd seen on MN. I'd always had the idea the conversations would be about ironing shirts or pickling onions, but it sounded interesting so I had a look. I was sucked in by AIBU at first, but then I found FWR, the mothership.

I enjoy falling down rabbit holes 🐇

FWR and the superb women on there.

A good laugh on the CF threads and the occasional gem of a thread that makes me smile.

I joined for practical parenting advice, stayed for the unique blend of tea-spitting laughs and heart-rending sadness (and the moving support that always seemed to be offered). I am on here more now than ever before because I am

Fark, pressed too soon! I am her3 now because of Feminist Chat, where I have learned so much, and continue to learn, and where I don't feel that it must be me who has lost the plot.

For years I've come here whenever on the odd occasion when I've had a question that needs a straight answer (or selection of suggestions). It's really the best place. Over the past year I check in regularly for the Feminist chat. It's a wonderful resource.