Blimey - I have just read this thread for the first time from start to finish and it confirms what I always thought of mums - the only thing we all have in common is that we are mums.
Just to add my "calm and collected" tuppence worth:
A lot of comments suggest the "if you dont like it, dont read it option" - very true if only in context to choosing to read or avoid serious or lighthearted threads as the titles are often fairly indicative.
However,when individuals start to become offensive and personal then the individuals right to their own opinion is starting to become a little bit more complicated and it is only human nature that people who strongly disagree with these offensive comments feel the need to chip in - after all no one wants to feel that by ignoring them we are passively allowing them to get away with it . If we all started to come up with comments that specifically named individuals in a negative and potentially hurtful way (even if we really believed in what we were writing) can you imagine what mumsnet would descend into?????? (few extra ones there for those of you who care about such things......) virtual hair pulling and cat fighting would reach new heights.
I think we need to remember that we are all adults and need to show a little bit more respect and thought for others ideas and opinions. If you dislike the frivolous nature of a thread - dont slag it off, leave it alone for those who are enjoying it just in the same way you wouldn?t barge into a deeply serious conversation about miscarriage and tell everyone to lighten up a bit - both are inappropriate to comment on as it is unnecessary and likely to offend.
When involved in a thread that is discussing a topic with more than one angle or opinion - why can?t it be seen as just that? - a discussion of different ideas and opinions in a positive way. Most people who resort to personal attacks about others views seem to do it because they dont have the language skills/knowledge/intelligence/maturity to put their point across in a more reasoned and less personal way - just like a stroppy teenager would argue their point about bad language with a throw away comment about wishing they had never been born or that their parents would drop down dead...based on same flawed human reaction and one that too many musnetters have been guilty of in the past (sorry, it is true and you all know it).
What I am trying to say is that mumsnet will be a better place if throwaway nasty comments (whether from having a bad day or just out of frustration at some elses point of view) are thought and not written. Oh - and if you do "slip" into the rather undesirable world of nasty or personal comments then expect a lot of people to shoot you down. Defending our own when under attack (regardless of circumstances) is what mums do best.
Right, enough said, lets all go to our respective lighthearted or serious corners and PLAY NICELY (no more tears).