Why did you choose to join Gransnet?

I joined whilst we had my mum here at our home in the last months of her life.

It felt like a safe place, I enjoyed reading about others going about their daily lives. Some with similar struggles, which helped me when I was really low.

I will always be grateful to Anniebach online friendship and support.

I have since made some really good friends in real life through GN, along with a soulmate penfriend

I thought I was going to be alone at Christmas for the first time. When I googled Gransnet came up. I wasn't on my own in the end but I'm so glad I joined.
I've been on here for about eight years. The support is amazing. I have to thank the posters on Black Dog thread for helping me through a bad time. Even though they had their own problems to deal with they gave support to me.
I don't agree with everyone on here but I believe that most posters are kind and not looking to harm anyone.

I joined because I get a bit overwhelmed as a full time carer for my DH sometimes and needed a safe space to just chat.

I joined because we'd been estranged by our youngest son and Mr. S., not sure how, discovered there was a discussion between estranged parents here.

Finding others in the same situation when we thought we were the only ones, was literally a life saver and the estrangement forum remains my main reason for being here.

I joined because my sister told me about it.

I’ve found it really useful regarding holidays and places to try out; very helpful with gardening issues; the health section has been very good for tips and reading about others with similar ailments. Some of the threads I just read and don’t post but I like hearing all about the ladies on This Morning. I look forward to that each day while I’m having a coffee.
I think most people are lovely. Some I don’t agree with but it’s easy to avoid them if you want to.

I joined about three years after GN started. I had read about it somewhere and decided to try it out. I’m much older now than when I joined but I still mostly find it relevant, often informative and it can be amusing too. I am a daily reader and occasional contributor.

Because somewhere among all the opinions there lies a common truth which supports people of our age.

I joined Mumsnet initially because I came across interesting recipes. When I became a nanny nearly 10 yrs ago I switched to Gransnet.

Mollygo Thank you for starting this thread. It's interesting to learn what drew people to Gransnet and why we've stayed.

I saw someone talking about it on Breakfast (it may have been Justine) just after it had started. We were on DGC 4 or 5 by that stage so it seemed relevant.

We still watch Breakfast, i'm still on GN and we now have 9 dgc.

I still love it though I post less as I am busier.

I came to GN via Mumsnet. I was spectator for quite a while before registering.

GN has been a source of useful information, exchange of ideas and sometimes comfort for me. There are some very kind, helpful and knowledgable people on here

Of course, I don't agree with everyone's opinions but I feel it is a good thing not to have your prejudices confirmed all the time and to have your views challenged.

I also enjoy the more light hearted chats about what people are up to and discussions about random subjects and reminiscences.

Most of all I like the feeling that we are in this together and virtually no subject, within sensible guidelines, is out of bounds.

I was (and am) on MN but thought I would give this sister forum a go as well.
It’s def better for the older person and I value the info on here.

It is a good way to keep in touch with the place I was born and brought up in. I won’t be visiting anymore now, too far and too hard to get entry and I don’t fancy a little boat!

Because I was disgusted by Mumsnet.

I asked AI when I first joined Gransnet and it was on 31st January 2013 on the funny names for grandma thread. I had a different user name then and it was the name my eldest granddaughter called me. I can’t think how I came across GN though but I do have vague memories of seeking the answer to a question about a charity and being directed to Gransnet.

I joined in the first week after seeing an article about it somewhere, I think. I used to join in quite often but now I mainly just read.
I always enjoy Mick's morning thread and our beloved "soop's kitchen".
There used to be a lot of humour and fun but that has dwindled unfortunately. I would really miss the chats though if it all ended.

I was here a long time ago, in fact I joined shortly after I became a granny. My first grandchild is almost a teenager now!

I left several years ago, feeling a bit bashed and bruised for sticking with a political opinion. I felt quite ganged up on after a while. It seemed quite hostile and stuff was going on in other areas of my life, so I withdrew quietly. My fault for engaging with the political forum. I think political divides are quite entrenched now and most political sites online have robust and obvious left/right divides. Discussion can become hostile and personal all over the internet and I don't really need that sort of friction in my life, much as I am open to other opinions.

Talking of argy-bargy, is the Gransnet pub still open? In the past I made many forays into the Argy on daft missions.
I rejoined so I could take part again. I'll steer clear of politics though because I think the state of the country and the world is depressing more often than not.

I hope to feel lifted, informed, interested and amused by Gransnet, and it's a nice way to pass the time.

I came across it whilst searching for information about baby buggies for DD, via Mumsnet I think.

Eldest GC is now sixteen but if I remember correctly she was about two years old and the birth of next GC was imminent when I joined up.

I’m not a prolific poster but GNet is an important part of my life. I’ve made real life friends through this site.

What a great idea for a thread Mollygo.
In 2017 we were renovating a very old property. I was searching the internet for some ideas on renders for stone walls which led me gransnet.
I was immediately drawn in to the wonderful array of subjects, thoughts and ideas.
I have enjoyed it most of the time although there have been a few wobbles when things don’t seem quite right but that’s how life goes.

I stumbled across it and joined out of curiosity.

I joined at the end of 2011 because I'd had a massive fall-out/estrangement from my daughters, thought I was the worst mum in the world and needed re-assurance.

I mainly got support, apart from one member who was very nasty, and because of her I didn't return for a while, then gave it another go after a couple of months and have been on here pretty much every day since.

Thank you Smileless2012.

The Estrangement thread was and sometimes still is, a lifesaver for me too...

My childhood friend recommended GN ,so I joined.
I,ve been here a long time with a break ,due to pile on y a few people who are bitterly opposed to my political leanings.
I, e been a supporter of the Scottish National Party since I was 13 so I came back and now and then give my opinion on politics
However I won’t let anyone chase me off the site again
For now much as I don’t like it we are ruled by Westminster..so I still get to give my opinion on their policies or lack of,regardless of whether some think I should just keep quiet

I chose to join GN because of the estrangement support that Smileless relentlessly gives, i have made some brilliant friendships through GN, some in particular that continue to pick me up when im down, they are priceless.

I joined over 10yrs ago it’s probably quite a bit longer, the site popped up when I was just scrolling through something else. Be nice to know how long I’ve actually been here. I read some of the interesting threads so joined, is it just me who thinks the site isn’t as much fun as it used to be, it seems everything is taken very seriously not many lighthearted fun threads that go on for days. Maybe I’m just getting old 😂