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

A picture is worth a thousand words.
But I won't be the one posting.
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unless it involves parasites

I hid the sporn topic as soon as it was created and never, ever venture in.

I think I get the general idea, and I think you all for sparing me further detail (or pictures - please no pictures).

Or thank, rather. Not thinking about this any more!

Just so you can avoid it properly, sporn is in Talk/In the Club/Sporner Corner. The only topic that makes me want to start smoking again.

mmm sporn
my secret addiction

and another thing I have mumsnetters to thank for

I’m here for the pictures of Ychromosome’s grandson.

Go on, you know you have some more somewhere.

Ooh, so am I now I've seen your post Puss!

G'wan, g'wan, g'wan.

Another half dozen. Hopefully "Small Boy by Firelight" will be up within a month.

Are you still interested in responses or do you have enough data?

Here's my ha'pence worth :

I live abroad. MN is my main channel for unedited UK gossip, news and updates : it's not the BBC, its the 'real people' (though MN has a certain user, that's for sure). People chatting about Cadburys, what the bloke next door said, UK humour etc etc.

My fave topics are : chat, style and beauty, AIBU, relationships, and more and more the feminism section.

I'm more of a reader and a poster than a thread starter.

I originally joined due to searching for pregnancy advice.

I came on originally to look at the education and SEN boards, started looking at other boards and got sucked in. It's mostly a leisure interest, occasionally I like a good argument, but I do also enjoy a parking thread. Plus the Archers discussions threads constitute possibly the most civilised corners of the internet ever.

Came for advice on how to speak to a friend about her miscarriage nearly a decade ago. Stayed for the incredibly intelligent, funny as fuck women and their ability to talk about anything and everything. I feel educated every day coming here.

And, of course, FWR, used to scare the hell out of me now it's my first thing in the morning, last thing at night check in. Thank you for allowing the conversation.

Came for and to give breast feeding support (after ds was a non failure to thrive baby who didn't follow the growth charts), 17 years ago .

Stayed for the virtual support across a variety of topics: weight loss, parenting, politic debates ( usually mostly courteous), loss of a parent, Woolly Hugs, Scotsnet, exams and ds going off to Uni and most recently (the last 2+ years), the Westminstender threads which have helped keep me sane during the insanity that is Brexit.

I have also made a number of RL friends through MN

Initially, in 2005, to alleviate disability-induced social isolation, now it's mainly to read FWR, and make the occasional foray into AIBU for light relief.

FWR needed more every year.

I googled a conception related query in 2009 I think. Read a lot of things and joined a few years later.

MN has helped me through an abusive partner, birth of my dd, breastfeeding, how to be strong when dd’s dad has been awful. It’s also helped me gain confidence via AIBU et al. I realised than I can stand up to harsh criticism! And fight my corner when necessary

And that’s why I don’t use FWR. MN is so much more than that for me. It’s a lifeline, a sensible head when I’m losing it. It’s opinions that don’t sway me, but allows me to see things from other sides. MN is raising my daughter how I want, but also support when I don’t know what I’m doing. MN for me is equality and patience, no matter how bonkers I am being!

I joined when I was pregnant for baby advice, spent a lot of time in relationships when my marriage broke down, now spend most of my time in FWR.
As others have said, this is one of the few genuinely female centred places online and it is glorious.

I joined when my children were quite young because it was such a good place to find advice. I stayed because there are so many intelligent, funny posters. Nowadays it's FWR that keeps me here, I don't think there is another forum like it. I've learnt so much from the wonderful posters there, and if it was diluted I'm not sure if I would hang around.

Sadly there was no internet or Mumsnet when I was bringing up my children in the 70s and 80s, or I'd have been an avid user. So I'm afraid it passed me by until someone on Twitter recommended the FWR section to me as somewhere that shared my concerns about the GRA reform consultation. I mainly read rather than post, but enormously enjoy and appreciate the threads and the many intelligent, thoughtful and clearsighted women who post on them. I have learned so much from them over the past few weeks.

Women's rights / feminism board