bunnyrabbit you are spot on with your hug emoticon request. Mumsnet need to move with the times. New people, new times, new needs.
In the past, mumsnet was very keen to be different to netmums and other forums, and prided themselves on the differences, ie no avatars, no tickers telling us when posters last moved their bowels, and no "oh hun" hugging culture. But it is changing here.
Now posters get around it by saying stuff such as "I am not a huggy person but let me give you one any way" and "a very unhuggy hug" etc. Clearly there is a need for it, wouldnt you say?