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Why did you choose to join Gransnet?

(103 Posts)
Mollygo Thu 11-Jun-26 11:40:05

Exactly that.
I thought it would be good to chat, and pick up information, though I never knew how much I’d appreciate it until I retired recently.

hollysteers Mon 15-Jun-26 18:21:31

I’m another who can’t remember when I joined and not bothered to find out.
I like the good morning thread and not being the most practical of souls, I appreciate the tips that come my way.
It’s also nice to know we are all in the same boat, even with age, tastes, politics etc. differing.

I sometimes pop over to Mumsnet and my eyes pop out of my head!😳

MissAdventure Mon 15-Jun-26 16:02:54

Hello smile
Nice to "meet" you

Greenywitch Mon 15-Jun-26 14:46:33

Hello, newbie here. I joined because my friend told me about this site! I'm 52 y/o mum of a teenager.

GrannyIvy Sun 14-Jun-26 19:39:39

I joined around 2 years ago as a friend said it might help me when I was going through a rough time. I enjoy the a good morning thread and try to dip in every day. I don’t really like to spend too much screen time so I’m not a regular but definitely it has helped me over difficult times

GrandmasueUK Sun 14-Jun-26 18:04:06

I joined just before I became a granny, eleven years ago. I occasionally start threads, usually TV or film related. I read the Good Morning thread and Soop’s Kitchen for the kindness there.
I remember some posters during lockdown, who were just trolls and although I never interacted with them I got really annoyed. ✈️ 👜

I used to love Marydoll’s travelling adventures. She always seemed to get up to some sort of mischief and I would laugh so much at them. She still has me laughing now though. I was always quite jealous of the Glasgow meet ups! They seem like so much fun.

I enjoy reading about other people’s lives, sad, funny, hopeful and interesting, especially as I’m now virtually house bound and love the photos. So thank you everyone.

Indiebee Sun 14-Jun-26 14:54:13

Thank you Mollygo. 😊

Mollygo Sun 14-Jun-26 14:06:06

There aren’t as yet any essential qualifications for being on Gransnet, so you’re welcome Indiebee.

Indiebee Sun 14-Jun-26 13:56:36

I transferred from Mumsnet as I too found many posters there being increasingly rude and aggressive and seemingly unable to discuss differences of opinion and experience. Gransnet is a far kinder and wiser place.

I’m not a Gran but am a Mum with an adult DS and am still on MN but with increasing distaste! I left it once and am thinking of leaving for good, just because of the sheer aggression of a few.

Thank you to all kind and valiant regulars here. You are much appreciated. I post sometimes.

beachcomber76 Sat 13-Jun-26 13:38:48

I came on in order to relate to other people my age who were also grandparents. People in the same generation know how things were and usually experienced the same issues in past decades so there is comfort in that I think.

I've been impressed by the knowledge and experience on here. Been humbled by the problems and illness that others endure too. Some threads open my eyes to things I knew nothing much about.

However there is another side which I avoid. I do not post about things I know nothing about nor pretend to. I avoid conflict like the plague due to my past history.

I have found reassurance about some problems I've thought I was alone with, and found that other people have struggled too. So I've not felt so alone. Even though I don't post much information gleaned on here helps a lot.

Cabbie21 Sat 13-Jun-26 13:23:54

I can’t remember when or why I joined. I rarely posted at first, but it came into its own when DH was ill. Since he died I live alone and miss having someone to talk to, so it is good that there is always something interesting to read and contribute to conversations.
I recognise some names but I don’t remember who said what and I rarely recognise a poster by their ‘ posting style’.
It is a friendly community. I stop reading threads if posters turn on each other unpleasantly.

67notout Sat 13-Jun-26 11:40:20

I am on mumsnet and found gn that way. The different topics on each site offer an insight to issues I wasn’t really aware of. Or if I did know I didn’t appreciate that others felt the same way. Both sites are interesting and informative.

HelterSkelter1 Sat 13-Jun-26 10:36:32

Doodledog a good reminder. I sometines have ro give myself a reminder as well.

Some posts are quite identifying...unless it's all fiction... and if colleagues, family or frienda are being criticised remember they may be on this site as well. You never know.

Rocketstop2 Sat 13-Jun-26 09:24:08

tabbie

I've joined Gransnet and looking forward to getting to know a few of you online.

Hello Tabbie
Welcome, hope you will enjoy it here and join in the chats if you can , always nice to have more input into the threads and discussions.

Doodledog Sat 13-Jun-26 09:10:25

albertina

I don't bother with social media and this felt like a lovely cosy substitute. It's good to see all the varied views and to put my fourpence worth in now and then,

GN is not a cosy substitute for SM - it is SM😀

It is a public site, so we are not chatting amongst friends - all of our posts are available to anyone with an Internet connection, it has a page on Facebook where threads are posted, too.

I'm not picking holes in your post, just pointing it out as many people don't seem to realise that far more people will see 'cosy' posts on here than they will on a personal FB page that is set to 'friends only'. We have no control over who sees our posts, and GN owns the copyright on them.

sazz1 Sat 13-Jun-26 08:51:45

I joined to see how others managed being a grandparent when my 1st grandchild was born. Picked up some good tips on here and love this site

Greyduster Sat 13-Jun-26 07:55:15

Welcome, tabbie!

albertina Sat 13-Jun-26 07:37:43

I don't bother with social media and this felt like a lovely cosy substitute. It's good to see all the varied views and to put my fourpence worth in now and then,

tabbie Fri 12-Jun-26 19:32:24

I've joined Gransnet and looking forward to getting to know a few of you online.

grannybuy Fri 12-Jun-26 19:21:08

I can’t remember how I came across Gransnet. It was certainly over ten years ago. It’s the only social media site that I’m on, and I really enjoy it. I look forward to it every day. Like others , I’ve learned a lot, and have had some laughs. Bellasnanna, you mentioned Galen. I used to enjoy her posts, and often wondered what happened to her. Thank you all for your informative, compassionate and entertaining posts.

stewaris Fri 12-Jun-26 19:12:12

I joined when I came across it accidentally. Then I lurked and read for a while before deciding to formally join. I'm glad I did eventually although I am still abit of a lurker I have to admit.

Notthecatsmother Fri 12-Jun-26 17:33:40

I came across this site when my daughter announced she was pregnant with her first child. GD now aged 8. My son announced he was going to be a father. My GS was born 4 months later. I like reading the posts but rarely start a post

Hemgranot Fri 12-Jun-26 17:29:07

I joined after seeing references to Gransnet in Mumsnet a few years ago. I doubt I’ll ever be a gran as my almost 22 year old offspring is unlikely to have children. I’m heading rapidly towards 65 and Mumsnet upsets and irritates in equal measure these days although I found it invaluable in the earlier days of being a mum.

Cath9 Fri 12-Jun-26 17:06:56

My son had returned to his home in NZ after a visit with me.
As I was missing him I thought it would be an idea to find out if any other Grans had a family living in New Zealand or in far off shores.
Thanks all who did get in touch

HowNowBrownCow Fri 12-Jun-26 17:06:28

Initially I joined Mumsnet looking for information/support from others in a similar situation as me regarding my then teen son, After about 6 months I felt among a toxic nest of vipers and wasn’t ever brave enough to post but I did find Gransnet through it and as I have grandchildren thought I would have a look. This is a much nicer safe space and thankfully no nests here 😊

Prancer Fri 12-Jun-26 16:46:01

Yes ...another estranged GM..looking for comfort and understanding. Gransnet has helped enormously. Really appreciate all the interesting posts and the humour too.
Always look out for the next newsletter !!!