Here's a copy of the mail we sent out overnight re our fifth birthday....
Dear mumsnet member,
With our five year anniversary upon us, we thought we?d give you an update on our progress. As most of you know it's been a long, winding and frequently uphill journey since we decided, back in early 2000, that the world needed a website that would allow parents to swap intelligence, support and bad jokes. The dotcom millions that we dreamed of back then never materialised, of course, but mumsnet soon offered a different kind of reward: the extraordinary experience of watching a vibrant, helpful, clever and funny community come to life on our discussion boards.
There have been highlights - a clutch of online births, a child?s birthday rescued by the mumsnet fairies, a baby given the perfect name by mumsnet committee - and just as heart-warmingly, countless small acts of kindness that ease the load of being a mum ? and we think make mumsnet what it is. Over the years we've seen our numbers swell to over 100,000 monthly users, mumsnetters have held meet ups from Stirling to Salcombe, we've compiled two books based on your wisdom, made a TV series and even appeared on Gloria Hunniford (who could ask for more than that?)
In short mumsnetters have laughed (lots), cried (a little) and fallen out (rather more than we anticipated, it has to be said)? then laughed some more. But before you start to wonder, this is not a valedictory. More of a ?thank you? really to all those who've reviewed a pushchair, recommended mumsnet to a friend, answered a query on talk, filled in an online survey, clicked on an ad, or bought a mug.
And a special word of thanks to the many who have subscribed - a true act of generosity, as you got nothing extra for your money and one that really did keep us online. And whilst we are still a way off challenging Bill Gates for world domination at least we can afford to pay the accountant fully now, if not yet ourselves.
On the suggestion of a few members we are considering a couple of annual ?Support mumsnet? days, which might be a good way of reminding people to contribute, without nagging you all the time. Let us know what you think of that idea here. And by the way if you haven?t already, or have forgotten to renew your sub, you can subscribe here .
We are also working on a donations fund, whereby we can collect for good causes/ special situations under the mumsnet umbrella.
Meanwhile, there are plenty of other ways you can do your bit and keep the wolf from the mumsnet door:
· Shop using the affiliate buttons on the home page or around the site and use the ?buy it? links on our product review pages
· Shop through our discount partners ? here
· Keep sending in reviews of products
· Buy a mumsnet book , something from the mumsnet shop , or a Pictory
· Recommend us to all your friends and acquaintances? even your enemies
· Help out with media requests on Talk
· And most importantly of all keep posting your great advice, tips and support on talk.
Some exciting news is that we have embarked on a project under which we will produce a compilation of our product reviews - a sort of guide to the best stuff for parents, which will be free and available in Mothercare stores nationwide from late July. The idea is to spread the mumsnet word further afield to loads more mums-to-be and new mums. We?ll be telling you more about that as it develops.
And do please keep telling us how you think we can make mumsnet more useful and accessible. We?ll certainly listen and do our best to implement improvements quickly.
Many thanks again to all of you. At the risk of a Halle Berry moment, we think you are brilliant. Here?s to five more glorious years
Justine, Carrie, Rachel, JJ and Techs