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

I'm a middle-aged mother of children who are now young adults. Life currently quite sorted, but had some extremely shit situations (various) to deal/cope with too, in the past, and some of them are still a bit "with me still" though they happened years ago.

One day about a year ago, I googled something, can't remember what it was but an unfamiliar concept for me. Mumsnet FWR came up either first or second google result.

So: clicked and read, and thought a bit, then had a look around the board, clicked and read another thread on FWR, then filled up my glass, clicked and read another thread...

After spending a few days reading Mumsnet FWR, suddenly lots of stuff in my life was making a lot of sense, for once! I was amazed. And so it continues.

I don't write much, but I read a hell of a lot!

Arrived looking for children stuff.
Got eyes opened in Relationships.
Hung out on DIY and Adoption. Dipped a toe in Legal.

But, in the end, as for so many, the path led to FWR. Discussion so valuable, knowledgeable, humorous, heartwarming, terrifying, essential. And not to be found elsewhere.

MN is the most woman supportive place I have found on the web,
And so diverse- not just an echo chamber.

Found mn 15 years ago, as an older first-time mum who knew little more than which way up the baby went.

De-lurking to add my name to the hit list - still here for FWR, it's the first thing I look at every morning and the last thing at night.

Advice on the Ed boards, the entertainment of AIBU, but mainly these days the Feminist Chat board. MN is a safe place to discuss women’s rights in unsettling times. There are so many people who are concerned about the erasure of hard won women’s rights and safe spaces. So many intelligent and eloquent GC feminists who want what’s best for women and trans people, without the rights of either group being trampled on.

I joined when first pregnant and have benefited from so much advice and support on babies, breastfeeding, recurrent miscarriage. As my kids have grown up, it's less about specific topics, but still the first place I come for reviews on anything. I have learnt so much here on topics that don't directly affect me - special needs, adoption, abusive relationships - it's really opened my eyes. And as for so many, the feminism board - I mainly lurk, and am massively grateful for the space and for all the wise women who post there.

And also the Trump threads- huge number of well informed, well sourced , erudite people who have kept a running commentary and insight over an unbelievable number of fast moving threads.
By far the best single internet resource on American politics- as referenced in an academic paper.

I lurked on AIBU and the feminism boards before joining - so laughter followed by a serious side.

I appreciate the advice on the pregnancy boards, I am entertained by AIBU and get intellectual stimulation from the feminist chat.

I do have some concerns about heavy handed moderation, however, but I like the posters on Mumsnet feminism so have not moved to other forums (yet).

I joined about 9 years ago, because I overheard a couple of women saying how awful MN was...😏
It's seen me through pregnancy, breastfeeding a tongue tied baby, autism diagnosis of both my son and me and much more.

Penis beaker nearly saw me off, it seemed to dumb down MN, but I then found feminist boards, which are incredible, full of clever, passionate women. Even though I don't really look at other topics, it's worth staying a MNer just for the feminism.

Initially I joined when I was pregnant and found great advice, recommendations and tips.

Then starting reading the feminism threads and was blown away by the articulate and brilliant women on there who have educated me so much about things that effect us greatly that I wasn't aware of. I didn't understand the ramifications for women in relation to the whole transgender debate m.

Thank you to those women. They are amazing

The feminism board - if it wasn't here, I wouldn't be here.

Information
Perspective
Advice
Support
Discussion
Entertainment
Education
References

All within the collective community that is Mumsnet.

A truly fabulous place for all ages and stages.

I came on to read a funny AIBU
Follow some bits
🌊 to everyone on the Doctors thread
Stay for FWR.

I'm a recent arrival. I had other boards when my kids were little, and MN always seemed rather huge and frankly terrifying. I can't even remember where I first heard that the feminism boards were a hotbed of sedition, but I thought I'd give it a go, just lurk, be silent (hence the name) and figure out what the hell was going on. It spoke to me in a way feminism hasn't since I was in my teens. The knowledge here is vast and it's unlike anywhere else in the UK.

Months later, I've posted daily, supported several crowdfunders, been #stickerwoman and finally met a few other FWR posters in person at a feminist meeting tonight. I say it jokingly, but it's true - I have been radicalised by Mumsnet. Thanks! I may find my way out of FWR at some future point when things have calmed down...

I came to Mumsnet as an isolated new mum, lonely and down. I lurked for years, happy I didn't need to participate but could lap up the wit, humour, intelligence, affection and sometimes the tough love that MN offered and feel less alone in the world. Now I have RL friends, we often message a link to an entertaining MN thread to each other of an evening...

However, some time back I gave in to temptation, read one of the many Spartacus threads, fell into the FWR rabbithole and the rest is history. So much passion, knowledge and breadth of vision, I am humbled to read the threads there, I felt ignorant of feminism, but I'm trying to learn. The best feminist resource on the web. Keep on keeping on, sisters!

I have been lurking on the feminism board for the last couple of years. It is like a breath of fresh air in a world that is so...well...confused! I do browse other boards occasionally, but it is FWR that keeps me coming back (multiple times each day!).

I’m here for the Feminism board. Amazing group of intelligent women.

Came for baby advice, stayed for the interesting, funny and informative threads in chat and AIBU and still love those - but the most valuable thing in MN for me is the FWR board. I occasionally post but mostly lurk. I've been a radical feminist for a while so it hasn't exactly changed me, but to feel part of a community of intelligent, passionate, compassion women (even as a mostly silent observer) who will fight for what they believe in and not take any shit is incredibly important for me. It kind of feels like a virtual 21st century version of being a Greenham Common women. I can hardly bear to think about how isolated, side-lined and confused by the world I would feel without it. I know that MNHQ has got a bit of flak for the banning and the limitation of speech that has happened and I have felt frustrated by that too. But I am aware of the huge pressure they must be under to shut down these discussions altogether, and I think they should be given huge credit for withstanding that pressure. I hate the 'wrong side of history' nonsense, but I do believe that society will look back on MN in years to come as a place that let women's voices be heard.

I first used Mumsnet for the baby names and conception/ante natal threads and drifted to other topics. I’ve had really valuable advice on infant feeding, parenting, relationships and finance over the years.

I click on lots of different topics depending on my mood: Behaviour and Development, lone parents, mental health, money matters, style and beauty, telly addicts. I like a good mooch. I don’t necessarily post on them all.

Lurked for years (from TTC to education, relationships). Have to say it’s now the feminism stuff that’s drawn me in, educated me and inspired me. Now to get more involved!

I came for lone parents, got hooked by aibu, but its the feminist chat section I used most.

Until you banned all the best posters, obviously.

I barely bother anymore, it seems to be the same obviously male posters whinging on about how theyre women, or how womanhood is undefinable.

If I wanted to put up with gaslighting in my spare time I could have stayed with the abusive ex.

Came for parenting stuff years ago then got involved in heated discussions in FWR (of the Dittany era). I helped to start the Let Toys Be Toys campaign, which was conceived on the MN boards then drifted away with work etc....

Have been back lurking in FWR for past six months, and getting educated Mumsnet is such an important space. So many smart, funny, humble, feisty and persistent women. Respect to MN for holding the space.

I came to laugh at and feel superior to all the horrible women who had no idea what real life was like and who took themselves too seriously, as I kept reading about them in papers. Found a site with amazing, intelligent (I’m not talking about only academic women but also those with a wealth of life experiences), fierce and funny as fuck women.

They’ve helped me through my dear husband’s terminal illness and losing him, getting my young niece away from her abusive parents, find holiday accommodation, learn from BAME posters and recognise my own ignorance regarding what many of them have to deal with.

I stay for the FWR. My goodness it has really opened my eyes. I wish I could be as elegant in my discussions as so many of the wonderful posters, but instead I just rant at the harassment of females by men, even if they claim to be women. Though there are also some wonderful GC, if we can call them that 🤔, transsexual posters that post in support of women’s rights, dignity and safety. I respect them a lot and appreciate their support.

I do wander around the other threads, AIBU, chat, relationships, Brexit, when I need a break, but spend 80% of the time on FWR.

I'm another one mainly here for the feminist boards. I also lurk on chat, aibu, style and beauty, etc, but without FWR I'm not sure I'd stick around.

I found MN 9 years ago and it helped me through my second pregnancy and really helped me to successfully breastfeed for almost a year. But now my time is spent on FMR board where I've been educated, inspired, horrified and infuriated by the changes to women's rights in both the UK and elsewhere. I respect MN for hosting this discussion although feel that the moderation has become too heavy handed.

FWR not FMR!