Childfree Mumsnetters' Board?

[musixa]

There's been some discussion on this thread about the idea of a childfree/life without children board, so I thought I would raise the suggestion on Site Stuff

[[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4811166-to-ask-why-so-many-child-free-people-are-on-mumsnet?reply=126404125

My thinking is that the board would be a safe space for Mumsnetters who, for whether by choice or making the best of the hand they've been dealt, are embracing the childfree life, to discuss the issues that uniquely affect us - some examples I can think of are discrimination when it comes to workplace holidays; planning for old age and inheritance issues, how to cope when your friendship group only want to meet in child-friendly venues; family pressure to have children.

I would also hope it might stop so many threads like the linked one popping up, which often attract goady posters.

I hope you don't feel this is a step too far as a board suggestion and will give it serious consideration.

Well, in answer to you I've never heard of anti-natalism until you mentioned it, so I'm baffled as to how I could make the connection or call you a scaremonger. I have no desire to investigate it either, thanks; especially not if they hang out with incels.

I had no idea until I read this thread that there was such fear of what and who childfree women would attract to the site if they had their own thread. It's both pitiable and ridiculous. Why don't you just ask for a masthead - 'Mumsnet, for parents.' If you're childfree we don't want your sort here, lowering the tone?

I'm childfree and do think having our own board is a good idea. But the biggest problem really is that mumsnet is misnamed. We talk about the same sort of range of issues on here as they discuss on woman's hour for example, and it would be bizarre if that programme were renamed "mum's hour!" People with a lack of imagination and a closed mind see the name mumsnet and think it gives them a right to gatekeep the site to just mothers. It's been in evidence on this very thread but you see it elsewhere too. It's tiresome to have to keep explaining that the topics are so much wider than being a mother.

but what will be on this child free board?
parking?
siblings?
inheritance issues?
neighbours?
partners?

why wouldnt they be in chat / aibu / relationships?

are you trying again? IVF? are you going to adopt? If any of those are applicable why to stay in a forum for mums. is called MUMSNET for a reason..

This is, again, why a site rebrand is the only option. You are never going to escape people who are so passionate about gatekeeping that they think it’s appropriate to tell complete strangers that if they’re not willing to undergo expensive and invasive medical practices with a really high failure rate or adopt, then they should leave.

I have said this before and I stand by it - for a fair few parents, MN is their smug mummy club, and they don’t care what they say as long as it remains an exclusive and superior place.

People can and already do report awful posts.

I find it really offensive that there is an assumption that 'child free' equates to 'hostile towards children'. Again, an attitude that's another reason why having a child free area is a good idea.

I'm child free, but I love children. In fact, children are my career!

@Peanutlatte i think that’s a bit unfair. It is called mumsnet because of how it started, with a handful of posters posting about parenting issues. It is not that now, and I haven’t found anywhere similar on the internet where relatively well educated women discuss things anonymously, with wit and a bit of swearing. I can see how someone might come here to discuss conception and feel at home even if they don’t end up conceiving.I am a parent but as mine are older I don’t post much about them, it’s more a general discussion of life.

Yup. Agree 100%.

Who said they won't?

Good points, @BodegaSushi, @fitzwilliamdarcy and @BonesBrennanz .

what will be on the childfree board then?

People can and already do report awful posts

I find it pretty offensive that one poster has suggested that it be strictly moderated as if childfree women can't be trusted to play nice. FTR I've recently seen some rather nasty comments on Black Mumsnetters but no sign they are being moderated strictly, why should childfree women be treated any differently?

This is, again, why a site rebrand is the only option.
🤣

what will be on the childfree board then?

What the posters on that board decide they want, probably. Just like the other dedicated boards.

What about tags instead so people can see before going in to a thread if its a 'posting for traffic'

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/site_stuff/4813532-tags-on-threads

so, another ....chat, aibu and relationship style board then....

Or what about if it's a board about a subject that doesn't interest you, just ignore it? like I do to all the parenting threads.

Like most of the site, then. This board doesn't even exist and already people are getting their knickers in a twict about what will be on it.

twict

S/b twist.

I illustrated below how a response from a dedicated community is usually more helpful and supportive than a response in AIBU.

Suppose for 'parking' you had the scenario of a neighbour persistently using your designated parking space because it was easier to get their child seat in and out than in their own space, but you also needed that extra space because you have a bad back.

In AIBU you might well have to wade though 'You could never understand this because you don't have kids' 'Wait till you have to manoeuvre a child seat in and out of a car' 'You should just let her have the space' 'You sound bitter and jealous' etc. before you got helpful advice, and sooner or later you'd get 'Why are you on MUMSnet?' from some clever-clogs.

That question has been addressed above.

I have dc but can't see why anyone would object to a board for people who are childfree. If there are things that they want to discuss with others who are in a similar situation to them, why would that affect me?

It's silly to object to it on the grounds that this is Mumsnet. We all know that there are plenty of non-parents on here, and I can't see why that is an issue for anyone. People will have their reasons for coming here, and they're welcome as far as I'm concerned.

I think some posters just don't like the idea of a Board that seems to exclude them. Newsflash: not everything needs to revolve around you!!!

Thank you @MrsBennetsPoorNerves - appreciate that.

I dont object to a childfree board, I dont look at most of the boards here,
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_great_outdoors
or
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/gardening
or
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/chicken_keepers
or
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/creative_writing
or
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/vegan

I'm just wondering what it is that is different to AIBU and Chat?

That is absolutely not why I said it needed to be better moderated (and also be on a trial basis). If it were up to me that's what would happen and I stand by it whatever you call me. Nasty, scaremongering, triggered, hurty feelings. What else have people launched at me because I disagree with them 🤔? I'm sure there are more.

I also think the Black Mumsnetters board needs heavier moderation, btw. It's utterly shit that it isn't.

I have never heard of the word antinatalist before. Certainly not seen evidence of it on MN.