The Mumsnet MUM of the year award.

[QuintessentialShadow]

Will there be a thread to discuss nominations, or will it all be secret through email?

It must be a hard task doing the judging.
It must be bloody harder than the Christmas appeal, so I dont envy you this task. A whole holiday stands to gain for one lucky winner, wow....

But, what criteria do you use to judge? If I were to put myself somebody forward, so to speak....

What I really would like to ask is:

???? why? What the fuck are you thinking?

Oh you're all so cynical! What's the harm in it we say? Someone gets a great prize (despite restrictions valid in school hols). So maybe everyone's deserving, or maybe the winner won't be the most deserving, does it really matter? Surely better that someone gets a pat on the back and a lovely weekend than no-one isn't it? And no we're not looking for sob stories, or to publish misery memoirs - in fact maybe we'll just pick the winner out of a big hat of entries because we quite agree, who are we to judge. We see it more as a celebration of all of us, with one lucky winner who gets to meet Gordon Brown (or Sarah if they're really lucky), I suppose.

That's a good idea - take all mners and pick one at random!

Of course, if people feel very strongly that it's a bad idea, they have the choice to not submit a nomination.

I won't be, cos I couldn't possibly choose someone.

what thread?

Oh I like that idea - names at random. Just scroll through the list of MNers and pick one.

There is wheelchair access.

Agree with FS, that way no 150-200 word submission required, absolutely random, no judgement involved. FWIW Justine, dont agree with you on the 'better someone than no-one' argument, unless winner is decided at random.

Must say the hotel looks lovely though.

Of course we're cynical - we're MNers! It's why you love us...

Bloody hell! Have you seen that place! I wouldn't let my kids NEAR a place as posh as that! All those mirrors and other breakables!

I agree with LoneStranger.

Put a name forward, no submission required, draw the name from the hat. That is what you should do, if you believe in your own argument below, Justine.

Hecate, that is the kind of place that quietens my kids (I think/hope) the same way as Church does.

lighbulb over head moment.

Now I know where to go for a peaceful holiday.

We'll think about it QS - I can see the argument for random selection but equally the submission will be published so imho I think it should be an entry that both reflects the everyday heroics that we all perform but also captures some of the spirit and wit of MN - the absurdity of it all... It is a MN award after all...

ps - does anyone else feel nervous when they're bolded?

I think a random selection is more fair. And a lot easier for you!

Where will it be published Justine?

boo!

sorry Justine, it is just that I put your name at the end, wouldnt want you to miss it.

I did not mean to rattle you.

Published on MN - and i guess extracted for PR purposes (you can tell we've thought this through).

lol at nervous when bolded

How do you feel about being underlined, Justine?

It's the least used of all the emphases, innit.

How well will the stories be checked? Can I lie?

nervous and bold dont quite go together....

JUSTINE

That's it. I'm off!