Why do you come to Gransnet?

I have 'lurked' for a couple of years and found a lot of good advice. Especially good for making you realise that you're not alone in any situation. Some of the threads are really amusing and have me laughing out loud. I have only posted a couple of times because I feel daunted by some of the nastier contributors and wouldn't want to be one of the targeted ones.

I will continue to 'lurk' and when feeling brave will perhaps post a comment or two.

Marnie, I'm sorry too x

Oh Marnie that's dreadfully harsh and very unkind. I doubt very much that you were an awful mother. Perhaps you could gently point out to your dil? how hurt and upset you are. How you have and will again try to kick the smoking habit particularly if by doing so you could be allowed even limited access to your grandchildren. I do feel for you and hope this sad situation can be resolved.

I read much more than I post. For me I fell across this sight when I lost my husband and I felt still and still do feel so lost so different from who I used to be. I also have a family who can be very difficult at times. On here I often find similar struggles from posters and although I don't always comment, it does somehow makes me feel not so strange or alone. I feel deep affinity with some posters. Other times I feel quite annoyed by them but at least I feel something rather than emptiness/ numbness. Other times there is a light hearted or common-sense post that distracts me and cheers me up. Sometimes there are silly post that make me think really? But again, they make me smile.
I like the political ones but as I teach politics I am not allowed comment in these posts.
Since losing my husband I often feel hurt or let down by people I sometimes think I wish I could ask him what to do. Then I think maybe I will post it on grandsnet. Now, I never have for fear of a sharp reply ( I have seen the odd few ) but I sometimes feel comforted by the fact I know I could if I really needed to and someone out there might care.
I have not seen the competitions on here but on a lonely weekend i when not working or the long summer break, I have been known to enter a few and on the few occasions that I have won it brings me joy to treat my family.
It sounds twee but I think I come on here as it makes me feel part of something a bit like a church or a group meeting but much more diverse and relaxed and down to earth.

That must be an interesting job, pinkjj.

I haven't been here long.

I came looking for discussion I suppose, and once I became a Granny it was good to read about the experiences of others with their grandchildren and relatives. It's a whole new world and my role has changed now, in terms of having little children in our lives again after decades.

I also like seeing how others view the world and react in certain situations. I have had my views and outlook challenged on a few occasions, and that's good. I like ideas, I like knowing how others live.

Gransnet has also been an outlet for me to put some perplexing situations out there for opinions. I suspect I am not alone in not always knowing the best way forward in certain situations, or the best approach to take when a dilemma foxes me. I welcome the responses and like reading about the ways others deal with problems.

I must say the compassion, wisdom and humour here is wonderful. I also feel heartened that many lovely posters have written to me about stuff I've posted. Posters seem good, helpful and kknowledgeable. I am glad I am part of it even though there are times when I can only read and not write.

I also, foolishly I think, go into the political forums. Very silly thing to do...

I feel compelled at times, mainly because, well, it has to be said, those on the left tend to hold court. They have to be challenged sometimes! I am not right wing, I am your typical floating voter and feel common sense should prevail. There can be a middle ground. I am compassionate, like justice but some people do wear blinkers and I try and do my little bit to add balance - or play Devil's Advocate.

I don't stand a cat in Hell's chance of making a difference. I am totally out-numbered, a voice in the wilderness. It's a shame more people don't join in. I'd like to know I don't do
it in vain! Ha ha! I know I do! I am always shouted down, or sneered at, so the political forums remain completely unbalanced, completely left wing.

It's a forum with many regulars. I take objection to the premise that only left wingers have morals, conscience and compassion. It's blatantly untrue. It's like they have a monopoly on virtue. It makes my flesh crawl and I find I have to distance myself from those views and challenge them. Not only that, I am not wealthy, never have been, and I am from a very working class background. I have known severe hardship, and severe, debilitating health problems. I love people, take everyone as I find them and object that anyone who isn't part of the left wing gang is portrayed as self-centred, uncaring, righteous, judgemental, etc. It's a caricature of the right that's outdated. I believe we need ALL views, but you won't get 'em on Gransnet political threads!

Yep, a foolish enterprise and hard work but the devil in me has to have a go at storming up that moral high ground. I don't stand a chance of taking any territory . {grin} I am totally outnumbered but there are always two sides to every coin, and mostly, only one is presented on Gransnet.

I am also a gobby mare, and I like to write, always have done, so this is a good outlet for me.

I have written too much again, haven't I?

durhamjen I teach sociology too I love it.

No you haven't Day6, you simply voiced your opinions, which coincidentally, correspond with those of many others.

Oh Marnie, what a sad situation.

Smoking is not a sin! Really, the fault does lie with your adult children. They are being very unfair it would seem, given you try to ensure your smoking doesn't cause problems for the grandchildren.

You have my sympathy. I hope they see sense before the GC are much older.

The reason I taught English rather than sociology was because I would have had to be even handed. You might have realised how difficult I would have found that.

Thanks Chewbacca.

I sometimes think I ought to expend the same energy I put into writing to political threads (or any threads really!) on that pile of ironing or that messy bedroom!

One day.....

I agree, Day6. Your ironing and bedroom are calling to you....

Was that really called for durham? Why would you post a comment like that? What's wrong with you?

Nothing wrong with me. Just encouraging Day6 to do what she said she should.
It would have been an acceptable comment from others, particularly if they had put a smily face after it.
Day6 did. I thought it was a joke!!!!!!!
Have you heard of them?

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

It just sounded mean durham, that's all. You're right though, a smiley face would have helped you get your "joke" across more obviously.

I have statemented dyspraxia and dyslexia and all though I do have a degree and a teaching degree I could never teach English. I do love English Lit though.

I think i have missed something?

Not at all pink. Considering that you have statemented dyslexia, you're writing and spelling are excellent! I'm glad that you found GN, we are, in the main, very friendly and welcoming. The chat threads, kitchen and Argy Bargy Bar are the places I tend to hang around in most frequently, I tend to only watch the political threads though.

I just love a chat!!! Now I don't work anymore together with moving fairly recently to a completely new area, making new friends isn't that easy. DH is a dear!! but we are a little bit in each others pockets! thank goodness he has a hobby!!
Day6, I mostly avoid posting on the political thread like the plague for the same reasons as you, and I didn't expect it to follow me here! though I do read it frequently.
I feel that I have 'met' some interesting and nice people over the last year or two, so here's hoping that grandsnet continues to flourish

Thank you I clearly need to explore the site more as I have never heard of Kitchen and Argy Bargy bar and have no idea what they are. Just because I have disabilities doesn't mean I can be sloppy or lazy it just means I have to work that bit harder than others might have to.

I am so glad the Argy is getting talked about, it is the only forum I contribute to regularly as it is quick, spontaneous and silly and brings out a fun side of people who can still have an incredibly serious attitude and opinion on life's issues experienced by us all. Caring, thoughtful interesting and varied thoughts create a little place I enjoy being a part of. On gn I am anonymous and I have shared stuff I wouldn't share with others and been supported accordingly. Thanks all and to the ones who are holding back from speaking please join us in the Argy for a quick drink, you will find the nasty posters don't visit , it's frequented by smilers not sulkers. Glad Lara gets involved too , good work

Day6, you are not alone with your views of the political threads , don't give up posting your opinions

I don't dare stick my head above the parapet very often on the political threads, but I do enjoy reading the opinions of my obviously more educated betters!

I wish more people would turn from black to blue. It's still quite anonymous but it is nice to know where in the world a person is from and whether male or female.

I havn't been a member for long and joined because of the forums.

I like the politics threads and skip over some posts.

Also like with the BBC, each, right and left, think that the other side is dominant. They seem about equal to me.

I like the relationship threads as well. But as someone else has said, sometimes by the time I come to read them, most things have already been said by others, so don't feel I have anything of use to add.

Also like the anonymity.