Can we talk about MNSN, and the community/support/chat etc?

[silverfrog]

This thread may not be a good idea. I am severely sleep deprived (ds has decided yet again that sleep is for the weak, and I have had about 4 hours sleep since Sunday), and had the morning from hell getting dd2 off on a school trip - change of routine, needed ot wear tracksuit not uniform, different drop off/pick up - you all know the score. If you all think it is a bad idea, please feel free to report and have it deleted.

Anyway.

Can we have a thread where we try to sort out some of the perceived isues with MNSN?

I keep seeing, on the main boards, posts saying that MNSN is not suportive. That some faces don't fit. That it's not all it's cracked up to be.

Fine. I get that not everybody is the same, and may not want the same things form this board as me, or other posters. But it isn't really said here, and so we don't reallt get right of reply.

It's a bit like talking about us behind our backs.

I know there have ben disagreements and differences over the years. I have been part of some of them, but on the whole I thought we muddled through quite well - expcially given that we are all under a reasonable amount of stress most of the time, and that we all face fairly different challenges on a daily basis.

So - what do people want form MNSN? Is there anything we (as a community) can do to welcome people who feel left out? Anythign we can do to help posters who lurk rather than post?

I am rather hoping htis might be a moving forward discussion, rather than a re-hash of any he said/she said grievances. BUt as I said earlier, maybe this is entirely misguided. Sorry if it is.

I feel bad, because I ask for advice but rarely give any. Mainly because I don't feel very knowledgable and what I do seem to come up with seems to just be my own experience of a situation which isn't most probably what posters are looking for.

Often I type replies and then delete without posting.

crappy can you try, one time, hitting 'post' instead of deleting? The posts with your own experiences are worth 100 of a post with text book answers. Those posts are the ones that get us through the tough times.

Last week I posted about DD1 peeing on the floor. I was so angry. Someone said that their DC had peed in a toy. It made me feel better that I only had to clean the floor

I do have friends on here, cybermates, the feeling is mutual, they can't post or have said so earlier on.

So, tell me. What is to be gained by regularly pointing out that posters who can choose to be annonymous and choose to post where they like, don't want to post here?

What do you want us to do?

Lougle and deviant are more likely to sort it out themselves (I think) if everyone else keeps inteference to a supportive back-pat.

Though hazey, I have the same bafflement about twisted words. Perhaps it'smisunderstamdings which snowbballed?

Have only ever posted infrequently here, lurked for years, gained massive support when I have posted and learned tons when I have just read. Attila will be forever in my head with the phrase "you are your child's best advocate".

I have managed to somehow get both my boys statements with all your advice and today when I feel so crappy I felt I needed and could post for support. I think this section is wonderful and grateful i am not alone.

Thanks had to press post quick before I delete :)

I have nc as a few posters have commented on the problem of shortening my name, dd was singing this song earlier and seemed appropriate.

I have always felt welcome as a newbie, been here under a few names but was crappy for the longest. I know it's my own inhibitions and confidence holding me back from posting more.

X-posted.

Starfish I do believe you have misquoted Atilla. The correct quote is:

"you are your child's best, and only, advocate"

The commas are very, very, important...they add an air of gravitas that can only be achieved by Atilla. In fact, I always imagine her saying it in a voice like a soap 'Next time on...'

Maryz...jokes. There were some good ones on Radio 2 the other day...

"I saw a bloke on a tractor shouting that the world is gonna end
I told me mate who said dont worry he's always doing that.....
its just Farmer Geddon"

Starfish I find myself actual saying "you are your child's best and only advocate" to people in rl! That phrase also helps me to stand up for my dcs in meetings, when before I was letting people walk all over me for fear of being too pushy and getting a bad name or whatever.

Attila is one of my all time heroes on this board, she was the one that really got me off my backside and pointed me in the right direction to getting help for ds. The first time she posted with those words, whilst telling me to apply for a statement immediately, they made me take a step back. I thought she was being all pushy and militant, but she was right on the money and it didn't take me long to learn to listen to her and others like her. She is also one of the kindest, most generous people I've met on MNSN - I have enormous respect for her.

Maryz, thanks for that link - you just made me chuckle for the first time today.

Ouch...have read the OP.

My mongrel pure-bred staffordshire bull terrier xwhippet has a particularly lean frame and surprisingly hard head.

One day, I came in from the school run and he was so glad to see me. As I bent down to fuss him, he jumped up to greet me.

Seeing stars is not the word. I literally crumpled to the floor, sobbing without sound. Poor DD2 was completely paralysed.

"I'm pleased to say the service is excellent on The Eurostar, because I've heard its murder on The Orient Express."

Cross posted with the only lougle.

Ds1 would love that joke - he loves anything that plays on words. Which is a bit considering how literal he is generally.

I stand corrected :) and when I didn't object to the refusal to assess for DS1 3 years ago she and mums net SN didn't give up on me! When it all went pear shape at comp she said it again and I listened!

"What do you say to a bear to make it eat cheese?"

I dunno, what DO you say to a bear to make it eat cheese?!

(said in a Cockney accent) "Come on, bear!"