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

Three reasons. One is the chance to talk with other gender critical feminists in a supportive environment, especially in campaigning against the misogyny of transgender activists.
The second reason is to try and help younger women who are struggling with abusive relationships, toxic parents, child rearing, bereavement or mental health issues, etc. As a retired doctor who has suffered a lot of these issues myself, I feel I can offer constructive advice. As a mother, older woman and Christian, I hope I can also offer some comfort and emotional support.
Thirdly, I love the intelligence and humour of the women on MN. I often choke on my tea at the brilliant wit and sarcasm - they’re very entertaining!

The feminist section.

And the Christmas bargain thread!

I came initially when I had a miscarriage. MN provided a place to grieve, to talk with women who weren’t personally in my life but who were so gentle and kind. They got me through.

I lurked for a long time after that, just dipping in and out but always coming back because there was always a thread that caught my eye.

I came back properly when I got pregnant again and found funny, witty, articulate, intelligent, wonderful women talking about all things woman. I loved it. It has helped me through a traumatic birth and a baby who wouldn’t feed, through sleepless nights where I kept myself going reading woo threads and classics and I have been incredibly recently supported through a horribly unexpected potentially lifelong illness. The space here, created by women and mostly populated by women, is like no other on earth. I was touched today by a comment which essentially said MN is the only place where people who earn a 6 figure salary mingle freely and honestly with those who scrape together the bus money for playgroup every week.

The main reason I stay is FWR. What a bloody fabulous slice of the Internet. It doesn’t exist elsewhere. Thank you MN for supporting free speech and women, you’re no doubt under a lot of pressure and I am incredibly thankful you let the debate occur at all.

Sorry for the essay I kinda luffs MN.

I came many years ago for advice on parenting a child with difficulties, stayed for the laughter and companionship, then stayed even longer for the feminist section and the gender-critical discussion.

Joined when I had my first baby 8 years ago. I stay for FWR and the occasional AIBU belly laugh.

Witty Chat
Doghouse
FWR
& Books
Mumsnet has opened my eyes and my brain to so much over the years. So much help, so much wit, so much support.
I have AIBU hidden as it brings out the worst in people.

Mostly here for the feminism boards, because it's one of the few places one can access intelligent, polite discussion.

I enjoy lots of parts of Mumsnet, the intelligence, the humour, the exchange of ideas, my number one reason for returning above all others however is the Feminist boards. They are one of the few platforms where women can really talk, discuss and be active in RL on issues that even the political parties ignore.

MN is the no 1 place in Britain to discuss women’s concerns and issues.

Joined for blocked milk ducts, stayed for FWR.

Sucked in by penguin date and then a fabulous bunch of supportive women when my kids were small and my sanity hung by a thread.

I stay for FWR and brexit boards. Love listening to intelligent and knowledgeable women critically analysing challenges.

For the shits and giggles.

I joined for advice on my disabled daughter over a decade back and general baby advice and chat.

Then women here helped me through 2 VBAC's and I am still here 12 years later to read what all the intelligent, articulate women on the FWR have to say.

It's the only platform where I get so many women's point of view and opinion and it's great!

Things I love about Mumsnet:

it's a female dominated place on the internet - unique
when a man starts a post with 'man here..' they get their arse handed to them
the unique perspective you get here. when something big happens (like the Kavanaugh hearings) I always think 'I wonder what the mumsnetter consensus will be'
the glorious christmas bargains threads. they're my happy place

but front and centre it's Feminism Chat. compulsive, educational, enraging, engaging. watching and participating in a new women's movement.

The feminist board. You know why.
And for a hugely useful treasure trove of advice on every subject in the world on the site more generally. Luffs you MN. ❤️

Mainly lighthearted stuff as a bit of escapism from the real world.

Like The Litter Tray/Chat/TV threads. I look at AIBU but take it all with a pinch of salt.

Steer clear of FWR and anything around Trans stuff.

I like the kindness. Ok, AIBU can be a bit of a flamefest, but male boards are like that all the way through. I did the "man here" thing: got taught my manners, richly deserved. The swearing is magnificent. Had my sanity saved a few times.

The best thing is the reaction to my DGS. The comments told me I'd got the parenting thing right. That meant a lot.

I joined because my dad told me about AIBU. And we have a right laugh about it now. My mum absolutely hates it when we talk in Mumsnet acronyms. But I love having it as our in joke just between the two of us.
I have also found my tribe on the litter tray. Amazing support when my cats have Been Ill.

I have absolutely no interest in feminism. And don't touch the feminism boards.

I joined up for specific information and advice about some personal things.

Came back from time to time for beauty tips or shopping advice.

Now live on here on the feminist board as one of the last bastions of freedom of speech to fight for women’s rights.

Love mumsnet.

I came here thirteen years ago for the breastfeeding and new baby topics and I've stayed for the Feminism boards.

I came for the breast feeding advice and will forever grateful to Tiktok and MN for the advice.

Mumsnet has strong women with strong voices - and it comes as a surprise to some that there is no one single voice. That’s because women are fully human, not one dimensional or reducible to a type or caricature.

May the strong voices continue ( and may some of them return)

I’m here for the style and beauty, feminism, Strictly threads, parking rows and Westminstenders threads.

Turned up looking for caesarean experiences. Stayed for FWR and politics and lurking on the unexplained.

When I first joined it was to discuss The Archers and education issues because I had school aged children. I still listen to The Archers so that series of threads are good fun still, but my children are grown up now. The main thing that keeps me here now that I have no parental concerns to discuss is the Feminist Chat board. I have learned a huge amount from reading threads there over the last couple of years. This is the only place on the internet where it is possible to talk freely about gender issues and I value it enormously. Twitter is confrontational and it's difficult to develop an argument there. I don't do Facebook. Long may Mumsnet flourish.