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Vipers' nest? Come counter our hissy rep with your stories of Mumsnet Niceness

485 replies

HelenMumsnet · 12/04/2013 10:42

Hello.

Well, it's been bit of a week, hasn't it?

And we don't know about you but we think it's time folks outside MN knew a bit more about the lovely side of Mumsnet. All this stuff about harridans and vipers' nests kinda feels a bit lopsided to us - and is certainly making us pull on our Uggs Wink and want to redress the balance a bit.

We're really chuffed to see such kind words about MN on Talk at the moment and also to see blogs like MmeLindor's that focus so beautifully on the "other side" of Mumsnet.

But we also want to publish, for all the world and the odd tabloid journo to see, a kinda showcase/archive of all the Lovely & Nice Things Mumsnetters Have Done over the years. And we'd really like your help with that, please.

Obviously, we have lots of Mumsnet Loveliness in mind already: ranging from Woolly Hugs to the Christmas Appeal and including everything from the lost toy on Blackpool Pier to the small acts of kindness shown every day from one MNer to another in need of help, advice or support.

But we really want you to tell us, too, about the Lovely Things you've seen (or taken part in) on Mumsnet. Please post them here - with links to the threads if you possibly can.

We'll read them all and, when we've run out of tissues, we'll publish some of your favourites for all the world to see.

Oh, and here's a pic of (warm and lovely) nest of vipers, courtesy of the fab women behind Woolly Hugs, to kinda set the tone Smile

OP posts:
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freddiemisagreatshag · 12/04/2013 10:43

Just the fact that this is a supportive place, a great place to rant when you need to and you also get a kick up the arse when it's needed as well.

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GentleOtter · 12/04/2013 10:58

Our family received an enormous amount of support, practical advice and positive help when the story of our roof/ water/ feudal landowner broke.
We felt quite overwhelmed with the response but it honestly helped all of us to get through the really bad days and long, frozen winters.
I want to mention the Secret Santas too as their kindness has not been forgotten.

MmeLindor came up to visit us and has kept an ongoing support. Aitch has been a tower of strength too. So many of you took the time to write to MSPs, the FM Alex Salmond and personal letters to me.
I find it hard to express how much all of you on MN helped us. x

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TheOneWithTheHair · 12/04/2013 10:59

I've seen loads. The mners who turned up to help another one clear her house as she felt she was bad for her dh whom she clearly adored. It was wonderful to read her go from despair to hope.

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YoniDoesntGrowOnTrees · 12/04/2013 11:05

The huge number who signed up for the Anthony Nolan trust in response to other mums ill children.

Mile for Maude

Peters pink heart.

Will think of more.

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FarelyKnuts · 12/04/2013 11:07

I met a lovely bunch of women on here who now are a group of women I chat to online every day.
We have supported each other through illness, money worries, every day work and life and having children stuff as well as just general "how was your day" care.
We are scattered all over England and Ireland and are planning a meetup later this year. I would count them among the first people I would go to if I was looking for advice or empathy or care.
Without Mumsnet I would never have met them.

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EchoBitch · 12/04/2013 11:12

A bunch of atrocious cunts kept me going all last year when my Mum was very ill and later died.

She lived nearly 200 miles from me and i was with her, having almost abandoned my own DP and DC for almost a year so she wasn't alone and didn't have to go to a care home which neither of us could have borne.

When she died i was a wreck and a week or so later a delivery arrived of a beautiful rose to plant in the garden,a grape vine and a bottle of very posh Vodka.

DP was astonished,one of those wonderful mners had been in touch with DD to get organise it as a surprise.

I was overwhelmed,we are all still in touch regularly,they are just amazing and kindness personified and a huge laugh aswell.

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WorraLiberty · 12/04/2013 11:14

The trouble with trying to link to the lovely, supportive threads is that if they were posted in Chat, they disappear after 3 months.

I'm thinking of the thread a few months back where the OP and her disabled DH had let the housework slide so much, their house was barely livable.

A few MNetters went round, rolled their sleeves up and helped to scrub the house back to a livable standard.

It was lovely to read Smile

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CMOTDibbler · 12/04/2013 11:15

I think its the everyday things on here that make me proud to be a MNetter - hands to hold when people are awaiting scary medical tests, a queue of knitting harridans waiting for the live POAS and offering support if the result isn't what people want, the ever positive support for those in abusive relationships.

But there are the bigger things too - crossing my fingers everyday for Beatrice through her all too short life, raising awareness of bone marrow donation inspired by Ailidh and Billie, secret santa etc etc

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CMOTDibbler · 12/04/2013 11:17

Oh, and I forgot the MNetters who, knowing that my bad arm couldn't tolerate cold, and I couldn't get gloves over the splints I was in for a long time, made me beautiful mittens and wristwarmers that would fit. I treasure them.

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LadyMaryQuiteContrary · 12/04/2013 11:18

//www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childrens_health/1649084-DS-still-asleep-what-to-do This one. CluchingPearl's little boy had chicken pox at the start of the year and she was struggling to wake him up. After some advice from mumsnetters he was taken to the hospital where they realised that he was seriously ill. We've followed and supported throughout all of this. Little ClutchingPearl's is now home. It makes me weep whenever I think of this. [sob]

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JonBonYoni · 12/04/2013 11:22

Woolly hugs, the ongoing support for Trazzletoes and her ds is phenomenal, my AnteNatal Lot Aprilites 2011, have hld my hand through some really shitty stuff and I've held theirs.

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CaramelLatte · 12/04/2013 11:23

The thread I remember most wad
s the one Worra referred to. It was one of the first threads I read when I joined MN and it really moved me to see how total strangers probably turned that posters life around. There could have been such a different outcome without the kindness of MN also the whole support she received on the whole thread, not one negative comment. It still brings a lump to my throat now. Often wonder how she is now.

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SuffolkNYoni · 12/04/2013 11:29

Wooly hugs makes me proud to be part of MN and keeps reminding me I need to learn to knit!

Classics is guaranteed to make me smile, that section was my life line when I was in the midst of AND and agoraphobia when expecting DD.

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Roopoo · 12/04/2013 11:31

After my first DC had PND. I couldn't see a way out and just wanted to go to sleep and not wake up.
A bunch of faceless strangers replied and chatted to me. Checking in day after day to see if I was ok. The kindness shown to me was incredible. I was and am humbled.

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Gerrof · 12/04/2013 11:32

The general kindness. There is a lot of that. When you are really down somebody will listen and will help.

I was very ill some years ago and someone sent me a DVD and scent. It was really cheering to get something like that from a stranger when I was bed bound for weeks.

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Dolallytats · 12/04/2013 11:32

I've had nothing but support when I've posted. I am agoraphobic and have been having a hard time with it getting worse since I have been pregnant. I felt really awful about not being able to be a 'proper mum' to my DS. The responses were all lovely, giving advice and telling me their own experiences. It really helped.

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TheOneWithTheHair · 12/04/2013 11:34

That's the one Worra. You put it far more succinctly than me.

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GwendolineMaryLacey · 12/04/2013 11:38

A MNetter talked me through sorting out a sod of a problem at work when they were trying to revoke my flexible working agreement. It would have caused chaos for me. She even wrote me emails to send to personnel and they backed off.

A MNetter in Ireland sent me Irish chocolate because I was desperately in need of some.

A few MNetters have done the Argos run for me when items are out of stock near me.

MNetters talked me into going to the GP when my first round of PND hit and gave me advice on how to approach the subject.

MNetters have answered most every damn fool question that I've had over the last 6 years from stolen sideboards to oven cleaning and a lost sausage.

It's fashionable to slate us but there is no better place for online support and, sometimes, the only support available to someone. The naysayers need to dig deeper, give AIBU a swerve and see what we're really made of.

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GwendolineMaryLacey · 12/04/2013 11:40

Oh, forgot. The amount of people who will offer help/money/clothes/whatever to a poster in need, even if some people are calling troll or scam. They may be right but the offers of help are what defines MN.

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trashcanjunkie · 12/04/2013 11:47

helen there's an awesome post from AIBU that's quite recent, and just lovely

//www.mumsnet.com/.../1728550-WIBU-to-give-money-anonymously

That one had me booing instantly. Not Just the OP but the responses too

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Badvoc · 12/04/2013 11:47

Just the general kindness and humour I think.
The fact that people want to help.
Some MNers are experts on their filed and give their advice for free on a regular basis.
I think AIBU has really badly affected the public perception of MN is and I can see why.
If you only checked out that particular board it would terrify you! :)

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JulesJules · 12/04/2013 11:48

Ooh just a couple of examples off the top of my head...

Woolly hugs

The thread that started with Trinity wanting to buy 2nd hand shoes for her daughters

Just in the last few days D0g's thread asking for postcards for her daughter www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1725503-Bit-cheeky-but-would-anyone-like-to-send-my-dd-a-postcard

Tiktok's bf support

And generally the wit and humour - see Mumsnet Classics for a million examples.

I have been involved in a few of the above, and (trying not to sound too cheesy) it is genuinely lovely to have the opportunity to do something kind for someone.

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5madthings · 12/04/2013 11:48

A lovely mnetter, helped me sort out ds4's bday present. A very specific captain america costume that i coukdnt get in his size in the uk. She got it in america, brought it back and posted it to me.

A bunch of us are all on the woolly hugs running thread supporting each other as we attempt to train and get fit for various sponsored runs. I am running in may with a few others and until 10wka ago.had nevrr run in my life, the general chat and cajouling on our running thread is fabulous.

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trashcanjunkie · 12/04/2013 11:48

aargh the link doesn't work.... But why! I have it in my history....

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5madthings · 12/04/2013 11:51

It was neithershreddednorsmug who helped me with ds4's bday present after i mentioned it on the running thread.

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