If you haven’t got grandchildren, what attracts you to gransnet?

There aren’t many threads about grandchildren, really, are there? I would guess that the same things attract those with and without them.

I think the gransnet title is really more an indicator of the general age group that are likely to join. So if somewhere like Mumsnet just feels like a different world to you, you may find you have more in common with people who remember the Beatles, have retired from work, and so on.

I came to Gransnet in the first lockdown,
and found friendly chat on all sorts of topics and whether I had GC or not (I don’t) it made no difference.

I’m not a gran, but there are many topics on GN which are of interest to me. I’ve also had answers to queries I’ve had myself, whether I’ve posted the question or someone else has.
I think GN appeals to a wide range of people because of the topics raised - as Doodledog says, not every topic is about GC, so therefore it can reach many. ?

The political debate

Blimey, Blossoming - either you're having us on or you have strange ways of enjoying yourself!

Technically we do have GC Kandinsky but because we've been estranged by their father our youngest son, and have never had a relationship with them, we don't consider ourselves to be GP's.

It was the estrangement thread that attracted to me to GN back in 2013 and I've been here ever since.

Very sorry to hear that Smileless2012.

Thank you Kandinsky.

I don't have grandchildren either, but was attracted by the variety of topics, and like Blossoming, I enjoy the cut and thrust of the political threads, there is nowhere else I can debate, chat, argue, and learn from others. Good variety of life experience on here too.

My daughter had severe post natal depression, and less well known, she also had severe pre natal depression. Probably as a result of all the IVF. I didn’t recognise this when she was being very difficult and I came on to the estrangement thread. There is a happy ending. She’s absolutely fine now after treatment. Since then I’ve joined in a lot of other threads. It was a bit of a lifeline during lockdown.

Blossoming, you omitted an imogi.

Gransnet is the busiest social networking site for the over 50s.

that's on GN page, about us. for the over 50s. no mention of GC, nor of being aimed at females rather than males.
it's basically for everyone; and most members, and prob readers, are over 50. that's all. you don't have to be anything.
maybe some prefer less routine swearing and insulting terms than is found on MN.

Maddyone, that’s good about your daughter. I started on the education threads, just to find out what people were concerned about. Mumsnet was a bit ‘all teachers are wicked and tell off my little Angel’ at the time.

Interesting and varied chat, good debate, great advice.
I am a gran but hope that I’m so much more.
I think the common denominator is more our age group than our offspring and theirs.

Yes, I do enjoy things that others might consider strange. ?As I’ve said many times I’m a misfit. I have learned a lot reading viewpoints very different to my own.

Here is an i-mogi for you Kim19. . ?‍⬛

GillT57

Agree. Having a good mix of people makes the site more interesting.

I do have GCs but most of the threads I read and post on have nothing to do with them so I can see why those without GCs get involved.
I love my ACs and GCs very much but I do have other interests.

Because GN members are all super friendly people, who have many wise words to impart to anyone who chooses to log in?

Its possible I could have grandchildren by now but I don't yet, happy to wait a bit longer

I came across a thread while googling something and decided to stay as it was the only place I'd seen with estrangement as a topic where both sides were welcome and I thought that seemed a better idea than just being in an echo chamber and would give me a more balanced conversation... Lol

Anyway it's a forum that doesn't move too fast in general.... although some threads do move too fast for me and I find it very difficult to keep up and I small enough membership that you can get to recognise and remember other member names andget to know a bit about them

I joined gransnet when our twin grandchildren were born. Maddyone my daughter has just recently had a similar severe illness as your daughter. I was so stressed it made me ill to be honest gransnet has been invaluable too me. Smileless I have read your posts about estrangement my heart goes out to you.
I think this is like having a friend especially for the lonely.

No children or grandchildren here. I enjoy the company of such a varied group of people all with different views and life experience. The political threads are challenging, educating and make my brain work.

I love how people are so friendly and often very, very funny.

No GC here but I do enjoy the various subjects and I am always more than happy to help others using the knowledge from my ex-professional life.

I have also met a few in RL and some of us have been meeting monthly for several years.

I also email a couple of GNs who live many miles away from me and there is no chance of ever having a meet-up.

On the whole people are friendly and polite.

I no longer really consider this to be for grandparents as such and in fact I like that there are members who are not grandparents or even parents, there are those who are married divorced single widowed straight gay politically left right or centre British Aussie Canadian green fingered sporty intellectual domestic goddesses pedants cat lovers fashionistas ………