Just got back from a week off during which barely a Moldie thought flitted through my head - bliss - and see that there is still some rumbling going on.
First a couple of responses.
eekareindeer - my reference to Moldies wasn't deliberate, it was a mistake (quite a big one in restrospect) as I've posted a few times, but heck I can't make you believe me if you're of a mind not to - I'm sorry about that.
DaddyJ this is not (and never has been as far as I can see) a fight between MNHQ and Moldies, and certainly not between me and Twiglett. But you've, rightly I think, asked for our thoughts, so here they are again:
It is our fervent wish for everyone to move on. We can't see any further purpose in prolonged scab-picking - the only result will be further recrimination and further hurt.
MNHQ's position remains:
- We bear absolutely no ill-will towards any Moldies members (all of whom are welcome on/back to Mumsnet at any time should they wish to post).
- We absolutely understand why the Moldies wanted a private group. We also understand that not everyone's motive for being there is the same - for some it was privacy, for some intimacy, for some just a straight desire to get their Old Mumsnet back. We also understand that some of the members (though not all) had left MN anyway again for lots of different reasons - all of which are completely understandable/ valid etc. We have never ever taken umbrage at folks leaving. We genuinely have no wish to keep anyone here who doesn't want to be here - the opposite in fact because if folks aren't happy at being here they generally post accordingly! We have never taken umbrage at folks leaving. MN is there to make people's lives easier - how could we?
- We absolutely understand why those who were hurt to find out about Moldies were feeling hurt. We're sorry that being a Mumsnetter led to that - it's not what we're here for.
- We would like to try private groups a la facebook some time later this year as we believe it might have been a solution that could have avoided some of that hurt. We've actually been thinking about it since the SN group was formed a few years ago but haven't really have sufficient tech available to do it. I do think private groups, but crucially with the scrutiny of a public board, where folks can voice complaints, might be the answer (then again they might not be right for MN but worth a try we think).
- We agree with those who have said that, on balance, MN has been a happier place since a small group of established members found somewhere else to post instead of/ or in addition to Mumsnet. From a MNHQ point of view it was pretty demoralising seeing post after post saying things ain't what they used to be, and can't have been any fun for newbies either.
Mumsnet was formed with the express intention of allowing parents to help each other by pooling knowledge, experience, support and friendship. The continuation of this discussion is really not helping anyone in our humble opinion and so therefore is against the spirit of the site.
However, we don't tend to delete things simply because we don't want to see them posted. So, roughly three weeks and 1000s upon 1000s of posts into this, how about we try and let it slip off active conversations? It takes a few of us to sit on our hands and grit our teeth rather than make our points, which is doggone hard, we know.
So long as it's on active conversations it will continue to bubble away and flare up occasionally - and surely there's not a lot more to be said that hasn't been said already? I know that's never stopped us in the past (baby pasta anyone?) but in this case it would be nice if it did.
Happy New Year to all!