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Boycott the Staycation Campaign Underway at TravelingMamas.com

The four professional travel writers (and moms) at TravelingMamas.com (http://www.travelingmamas.com) are asking families around the United States to boycott the staycation.

A "staycation" is a made-up word created by the media to describe the act of taking your vacation at home.

The Traveling Mamas think that's silly.

Sure, gas prices are sky high and the value of the dollar has dropped overseas. The Mamas understand that many American families are not in the financial position to book a week's stay at Disney World or a trip to Europe this year.

But why not consider foregoing that new piece of electronic equipment (plasma TV, high-tech phone, video-game player or other gizmo) or cutting back at holiday-gift time, and putting that money toward a low-key trip to a neighboring town Book a budget motel with a pool, and the kids will love the adventure with Mom and Dad!

Some staycation proponents are suggesting that families not travel /anywhere/ on their annual family vacation. While the Traveling Mamas think it's brilliant to "explore your own backyard," they believe that actually getting in the car and overnighting someplace other than your own home is important -- even necessary.

An April 16, 2008 Expedia.com "Vacation Deprivation" survey estimates employed Americans earn an average of 14 paid vacation days per year. It also states that 31 percent of employed Americans do not use all of their vacation days. Americans still lag behind Europeans on annual vacation days (UK-26, France-37).

Despite these statistics, Americans /do/ see the value in a vacation, with the majority stating they feel more productive and better about their jobs upon their return. Vacations allow families to feel rested, rejuvenated and reconnected to their personal lives. And that's why the Traveling Mamas are encouraging families to get away for a few days. Explore a new locale and make some memories!

The Boycott the Staycation Prize Giveaways

In honor of the TravelingMamas.com (http://www.travelingmamas.com) Boycott the Staycation campaign, the four Mamas are randomly giving away great prizes throughout the month of July. Here's how readers can win:

-    Leave a comment anywhere on the site, on any post throughout the month of July.

-    Purchase a TravelingMamas.com T-shirt, email the order number to boycott@travelingmamas.com and you'll get 5 extra entries into the random drawings.

-    Email a picture of you wearing a travelingmamas.com T-shirt while traveling for another 10 entries.

-    Leave a comment on the prize-specific posts. Giveaways so far this month have included LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics and Around the Table Games.

Other prize sponsors include Daytona Beach Convention & Visitors Center, Snowmass Village, Sazerac Rye Whiskey, Cracker Barrel, Kirt Webster & Associates and Prestone.

About TravelingMamas.com

TravelingMamas.com (http://www.travelingmamas.com) is owned by four travel writers who live in different sections of the United States. They are known on the website by their "handles":

-    Shannon Hurst Lane, CajunMama, Louisiana

-    Beth Blair, DesertMama, Arizona

-    Kara Williams, MountainMama, Colorado

-    Jennifer Miner, MudslideMama, California

On the blog, the Mamas offer travel tips and destination ideas for family travel, romantic escapes, girlfriend getaways, and solo journeys. The foursome also covers industry news and reviews travel gear.

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