Why do you come to Gransnet?

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.

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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?

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

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

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.....

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.

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.

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

durhamjen I teach sociology too I love it.

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?

That must be an interesting job, pinkjj.

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.

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.

Marnie, I'm sorry too x

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 am so sorry x

I come to read the stories about interaction with GC. I do not see mine as I smoke. They are not allowed anywhere near me even when I go through the not smoking for two hours, shower, put on clean clothes, arrive at the home change clothes again. Allowed to hold for two minutes till I go to kiss baby and baby is whipped away from me with the words " no one who smokes is going to kiss my baby". So I love the stories and also hope one day I might see an answer to my dilemma. I did stop smoking for nine months but no invitations to visit accepted so went back to it. I call it my only pleasure while looking after my husband with dementia. There are two GS now. Seen two and half year old three times and five month old once. They live half an hour away. Son works five minutes away. DIL mother lives five minutes away and childminds. Son brings them to her. I must have been an AWFUL mother.

EVERYONE is welcome in the Argy. NFK Please come in, as we are gentle folk. We write nonsense and usually just pick up something from a previous post. We are running out of supplies, so if you or anyone else has anything to contribute, even non alcoholic items, we would be very grateful for any contributions. Even if your first post is just introducing yourself, that would be a start.

I lurk in the Argy Bargy Bar. Can't keep up with the banter.

Lara - you asked if we recommended GN? I did only last week to my neighbour. She's having family problems so I told her to look in as she'd find her problems were far from as unique as she thought. Sometimes though the advise can seem harsh as other points of view are given. It's not dressed up with the face to face politeness you get from friends. Perhaps we could all learn to be a bit more gentle sometimes!

Yes do come to the Argy Bargy Bar Sue. They're as mad as a box of frogs in there not me, of course but we're very welcoming.

Try the Argy, you will be very welcome. We just say whatever nonsense comes into our head. It is so non judgemental, no nastiness.

I've been here quite a few years although I don't post that often. Although maybe a search would prove me wrong there! It's interesting to see other people's points of view, although I find the political threads intimidating.

I do the occasional competition and apply for free books. I haven't been in the Cafe so maybe I should try that.

The chat and camaderie.
Information and advice.

I just look at the threads GN HQ emails to me.

I prefer GN to Mumsnet because the discussions are generally more good-humoured and polite. I have been disappointed recently to see some posters being sharp and rude. Generally I think the site is great.

Sleepyamber Most of us are kind people. Please don't be put off.