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

It is clear to me, as I'm sure to others, that there are a few voices working very hard to peddle misinformation about the proposed changes to the GRA and the present equality act - and the piling on and bullying in the name of 'debate' is pretty disgusting.

It is even more clear that many women find the FWR boards a safe place to discuss a topic that should be safe to discuss openly, in real life.

I don't understand why FWR is so dangerous. It is women discussing issues with women, nobody is threatened or bullied, we are all anonymous.

Think about the twitterverse - that is full of real life threats or real life violence, doxxing etc. That really is disgusting!

Mumsnet came up on so many questions I searched that I decided to join I stay because such a wide range of opinions are available and it's the only forum where trans issues are discussed without bigotry. I nearly left because if the left wing remain bigotry mind you

Joined in 2009 when pregnant with my first. Stayed for the childbirth and pregnancy forums, ventured into classics, AIBU, relationships and chat, found the weight-loss chat forum post-birth and then in the last few years have started reading the feminism pages regularly. Have had my eyes opened very wide and am forever grateful to Mumsnet for waking me up to what is going on around me.

Came for pregnancy advice as a FTM but now find myself coming mainly for the lols on the AIBU board. Some really nasty people on there but the arguments are entertaining 😁

I apologise for my ignorance and that I've not RTWT but what does FWR stand for ?

peridito Feminism Woman’s Rights.

It’s now called Feminism Chat but the longstanding posters still use FWR.

Feminisn and Womens Rights

Crikey, Repeal I had no idea it had changed

I have lurked on MN for years, reading chat and AIBU, researching purchases like car seats and pushchairs. Classics kept me laughing through the hard times of coping with a new baby. I also started reading about current affairs on here rather than news websites, as there is so much more discussion and detail brought together from different sources. I came and went over the years depending on how much spare time I had.

But like so many other MNers, once I discovered FWR, I was hooked. It helped me put into 'proper' words my feelings and observations about equality, based on my experiences of how society views me, as a female, compared to my brothers, male friends and colleagues. I still lurk on other boards (especially the Trump threads) but FWR is what brings me back to MN every day, several times a day.

For the Trump threads. (From a year ago)
For the entertainment value.
For interesting debates.
Occasionally for advice from a wide range of opinions.
Because I'm addicted.

FWR Reawakened my inner long dormant rad fem. I am now active in rad fem politics again.

But like so many other MNers, once I discovered FWR, I was hooked. It helped me put into 'proper' words my feelings and observations about equality, based on my experiences of how society views me, as a female, compared to my brothers, male friends and colleagues. I still lurk on other boards (especially the Trump threads) but FWR is what brings me back to MN every day, several times a day

Any other old-timers getting shivers down their spines from posts like this because they just scream 'consciousness raising' like the old days?

That was beautifully put yet another YetAnother!

I'm here to talk to other women. When I first came on to MN I was mostly working from home, and here was where I had my watercooler moments with other women - sometimes serious, often vey smart and funny, really helped me get through the day. It's helped provide an ear and genuinely useful advice when I've been going through tough times, and I hope I've managed to provide the ear and the advice to others, in my turn.

I don't need that kind of forum any more, but I continue to come here to talk to other women anyway. It's been especially important in the last few years as we face what I seriously believe to be the biggest rollback of women's rights of the last thirty years. It is far from perfect - I never believed there's be a time when you could get banned from mumsnet for describing a man as a man, but here we are - but it's still better than most places on the internet which are nakedly hostile to women.

Also I never knew I was a rad fem till I read FWR. Despite doing politics at university we didn’t cover feminism at all - in fact I didn’t have a female tutor or lecturer or see a single book by a woman on any of the reading lists for three years . So although I was and am a feminist, I had never studied it and didn’t know any of the theories underpinning it. Reading the very very brainy women of FWR is like doing a crash course in political theory.

So I now also know I’m a rad fem - although what’s radical about women saying that men aren’t women I don’t know.

I use MN because it is female dominated and not many placed IRL on online are, I like to talk about the shared experiences I have with women and to get opinions on things I have or am currently going through. I mainly use the feminism and aibu boards but I also enjoy chat, relationships and the TV forums and often just look in active to see what's happening elsewhere.

I lurk mainly and rarely log in as I'm nervous about posting.

But wanted to add my support for the Feminist boards.

I think I disappeared for a while in the madness of having small children and when I popped my head up and looked around the world seemed to have gone mad.

I don't want my kids thinking that if they like stuff from the opposite gender (whatever that means) they have to change their beautiful body. Who signed off on this nonsense?

So recently I've been reading reading reading the amazing women on the feminist boards and trying to do whatever I can in my small way to make a difference.

I've filled in Government Consultations, and donated to fundraisers and am trying to summon up the courage to join in with the meetings and activism.

I've spoken to all my friends and family who all get it.

One thing I found really worrying was the banning of some of the women. Just for speaking the truth. I was horrified to see this on a women's website TBH and it has really affected the way I see the actual site. Again I feel nervous even saying this as I worry that you will ban me for speaking my mind. So in my opinion Mumsnet has acted badly bowing down to the bullies and should have been stronger and protected it's women. I no longer look at the actual site - I just go straight to the women's rights section.

Long time lurker, very very rarely post. I joined for breastfeeding support, stayed for the AIBU entertainment, but wanted to add my voice to those who are here for FWR.

Mumsnet is so important in giving women a voice and a place to meet whilst we battle to be heard. Please don't let them close us down.

For me
Archers threads
SN chat - great support
FMR - has opened my eyes to issues

I don’t think MNHQ would be silly enough to close FWR, as they have already seen the strong reaction to TRA supporting companies. I actually spend MORE time on FWR, fighting the insidious indoctrination of the TRAs, because of them trying to close us down. If MNHQ close FWR I will sadly walk away from a board that has helped me trough a lot of sadness, loss and also happy times. FWR has helped me find my place in the world, with wonderful, strong, intelligent women.

I started reading chat then aibu, I stayed because the boards are informative, helpful and often very funny.
Now I stay because of FWR, it's one of the only spaces left where women's issues can be discussed, even with the new rules.
If those boards go, there will be no point in remaining.

Started using Mumsnet about 8 years ago and was mainly interested in the schools threads. Now, I would say, I'm mostly interested in the FWR debates.In particular, the debate over the reform of the GRA on Mumsnet has opened my eyes to an issue that has not been covered much in mainstream media but will certainly affect my life and my daughters' futures.

Cos I got banned from Netmums

You can tell us Lady! What DID you do?

Cos I got banned from Netmums I’m so proud of you. sniffle 🏆🥇

I was first attracted by the chat threads and excellent advice on baby toddler threads.

I stayed for FWR, specifically, the space in which we are allowed to talk about the erosion of our rights.