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

y y Floris to The feminist angle of Relationships is especially inspiring; it's taught me a lot about narcissism, DARVO, gaslighting

Now I mainly lurk - a lot - in FWR.

Until Mumsnet I had never really heard woman talk on mass because I guess in real life they’re too busy; hearing women talk is amazing.

And very, very funny .

The Feminism Chat board.

I started in Relationships, have dipped into FWR (and continue to be inspired by that board) and many other boards.

I am here because it is a safe place for women to talk about what interests us, where the default assumption is that you are a woman, and where the default position is that you are fully within your rights to post your opinion.

There are virtually no other safe spaces online for women to engage in general chat in a community that is dominated by women. Other places are simply not safe for women, for the most part. They are populated by vile, extremist misogynists and the silent, condoning majority who let them get away with the most egregiously horrible abuse of women.

Even in RL, we women tend to filter our thoughts.

MN gives women the chance to discover our own voices and to develop the expectation that we will be taken seriously when we voice our opinions.

Agree with Krimpvarkie on the trans issue:
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 joined over ten years ago. I have posted on breastfeeding threads, antenatal, Chat, AIBU, language and bilingualism, in the news. I have found the SN threads to be invaluable.
I discovered the FWR board early on, and settled in. I post less frequently now, but I do read, and this is the board I read most of all.

I came over 10 years ago for support and advice with my daughter.

In the interim I've had support through an alcohol problem, as well as some horrible, nasty, attacking criticism and so I disappeared for a while.

I'm back for the Feminism which is second to none on the Internet.

I joined for hyperemisis support and advice. Chat, antenatal clubs and AIBU git me through the long, dark weeks of hyperemisis, but I picked up lots of advice on the way. 10 years later, I am still here for chat and a bit of me time; to seek support on parenting issues; to give support when I can, and for the news discussions and feminism boards, these make me a lot more aware and informed of issues that affect me. MN is like the biggest conversation with a roomful of intellugebt women. It has got me through good times and bad for 10 years. Great company in the train and in those early insomniac hours.

I joined when I was pregnant with my eldest dc (now a teenager) as I was living away from my family and needed the support and advice found here.

Then spent a lot of time on chat and AIBU and now, like a PP, I go straight to FWR having stumbled across a thread there in the Spring of this year that piqued my interest.

I mainly lurk, and learn.

Oh yes relationships. I read that a lot and post where I think I can help. It's that board that 5 years ago or so, opened my eyes to the abuse I suffered in a past controlling relationship, and that what he did to me was coercive rape and sexual abuse. I've finally been able to deal with it and let it go with the help of therapy, but the relationships board was what helped me to put a name to his behaviour and to spot so many of the red flags. I thought it was my fault but I see now it wasnt. If it weren't for the wonderful posters on the relationships board I'd still be stuck in the self blame cycle. Now I try to give back where i can, and to help other women the way I was helped.

The relationship board is wonderful, it saves lives. I wish I had been able to read it years ago when I was married to a violent man. So many wonderful women post on there.

I'm in my late 50's and was originally on the Gransnet site. But I found it a bit twee and narrow minded overall.
Came to Mumsnet and although I'm not sure I perfectly fit here either I really enjoy most of it.
The main reason I stay is I have learned so much about so many things. Honestly life changing in some ways.
Teaching me about how the younger generations see life. Compassion. Understanding issues. Learning things I knew nothing about....and in some cases still don't want to!
Best of all it's entertainment at your fingertips.
Is there a place for a 50/60 board?

FWR. And AIBU.

I joined 10+ years ago, for support with a health issue of my daughter, and for advice on teens. As a stay-at-home mum I had never heard voices of women, in such variety and with humour and wisdom in spades - such compassionate, dazzling women doing such hard work. I debated for a long time in the Religion board but then realised there was an issue that was threatening the very identity of women - which I had only begun to hear about, and only here - the IOC ruling on trans sportspeople and the Tara Hudson prison campaign.

Since then I have treasured Mumsnet as being the only sane and the ONLY place on the internet where the implications of trans issues can be properly debated. It is giving a voice to women who are shut down in every sphere on this issue.

I love the women of Mumsnet - they are funny, intelligent and share their concern, their good advice, their keen sight on the issues that affect women and families.

I came when my son was stillborn, when the grief was overwhelming and I was barely functioning.

Over time I transitioned from grief to hope on the TTC after loss board and ten plus years later ( after a couple of deregs and multiple name changes) I stay for FWR.

I'm a lawyer and lucky to spend my days surrounded by smart, interesting, dynamic people. But the entirely female friendships that I've built on FWR with women whose knowledge surpasses my own and from whom I learn every single day has transformed my life.

I joined many years ago when a forum I'd been a member of for years closed. I wanted to be able to chat to other women about life, love, fashion, whatever but also importantly to learn stuff from women cleverer than me (as the baby and kid years meant that was missing or not easy to access as a time convenient).

My kids have grown now but I stay for the FWR board as it's the only place women can talk mostly freely about this huge, impactful topic. Plus I read the style threads and wish I was 3 stone lighter and much, much richer.

Joined when I had my first baby for info.

Enjoy Aibu righteous outrage against cf and the laugh out loud threads eg pretend interview by womans hour / work disasters

This site gave me the idea for my business now 5 years old and earning me a healthy salary from home.

But best of all the FWR section. As a young woman thought I was a liberal feminist took fwr and age to realise definitely radical all along

I know it's Sunday, but some sort of response from MHHQ (given that they asked the initial question) would be nice!

I came for the parenting when I had three under two and was swamped.
Back to work, the tips helped me settle in a new career, employ and manège a nanny, all our shopping decisions from best cooker to new car and style and beauty recommendations , best ski holiday are influenced by the boards. Those three under 2 are now at excellent unis thanks To sage advice on here during UCAS applications
I love a good Aibu, Christmas poncing but the main reason I use mumsnet now is FWR

Joined donkeys years ago. AIBU was my go to then a friend recommended FWR and I was hooked. Such a great board with inspirational women, some of whom I’ve met. I found my people!

Been here nearly 10 years. Started with chat and general child stuff. The SN boards have helped us as a family more than I can say. The friends I have made are amazing. I've been a Woolly Hugger for years.

The most important part now, by far, is Feminism. It's the one topic I go to deliberately day after day, it has helped me understand so many importsnt issues and keeps me up to date with current concerns. I am so grateful to all the sensible, patient, intelligent posters on the Feminism boards.

As a pp said, came for babies, stayed for the feminism.

This is pretty much the only place on the internet which is for women, by women. And because it is ostensibly for ‘mums’ it is entirely underestimated. It’s a powerhouse of intelligent, witty, and hilarious women. The rest of the internet pales in comparison.

Indeed YetanotherSpartacus. Odd to ask the question but then not engage. Do they not like our answers?

FWR! I used to pop in occasionally to giggle at the AIBU threads and occasionally the mumsnet recommends emails got read. Then I became a parent and had some other issues that mean I venture into some of those relevant pages sometimes.

But for the last six months or so it has been all about FWR for me. Reading, reading, reading, absorbing, helping to crystallise my (already-existing) doubts and fears and uncomfortable feelings about the way things are going. I was raised by a strong feminist and had lost my way a little. Mumsnet has re-invigorated my strength and my desire to fight for my rights as a woman and for my daughter's rights. Thank you for being the only place I have ever found that allows open and honest discussion on these topics. Please don't change that - you will be on the right side of history in the end.

I came here for support when my daughter was about to go into prison. Some lovely posters help me keep sane through 2 prison sentences. I lurk on the FWR. And has laughed and cried. Mumsnet has saved my sanity

FWR. Learned so much from the wise women there. Occasionally another thread like locked cupboards, or a good CF parking one, but mainly FWR.

Came over for the SEN advice, got hooked by the humour, name changed for the Relationships, now mostly lurking on FWR.