Is long-range summer planning really that insane?

[Anonymous]

Two kids left at home, rising 6th and 10th graders. As long as I allow for flexibility when the time comes, how crazy is it to work out a general summer plan for the remaining summers with them? I'm not talking about buying plane tickets or anything, just something like, "So in 2026, DD will attend Camp Fun Times in June, DS will head to Camp STEM, and in July we'll fly to California to visit Death Valley" or whatever. I'm finding the years are getting limited, and there's so much they and we still want to do. DH thinks signing kids up for summer camps in April of the same year is "planning too far ahead," so my perspective is a little off and I could use unbiased comments.

[Anonymous]

Given the changes from week to week and month to month with my teens, there is no way I'd be planning summer camp or vacation now for 2026! Sure that camp sounds fun now, but there is no way to know that they will feel the same in a year.

I don't see a problem with writing out a plan in pencil for that far out, but unless you really need to book the vacation to lock in dates or pricing, I would not do it.

I'm impressed your teens even want to go to camp, mine refuse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Given the changes from week to week and month to month with my teens, there is no way I'd be planning summer camp or vacation now for 2026! Sure that camp sounds fun now, but there is no way to know that they will feel the same in a year.

I don't see a problem with writing out a plan in pencil for that far out, but unless you really need to book the vacation to lock in dates or pricing, I would not do it.

I'm impressed your teens even want to go to camp, mine refuse.

It's not even in pencil, just in my head. I've been doing it for 10 years without admitting it to anyone, and it's worked out well.

[Anonymous]

My darling daughter applied for a competitive internship for Summer 2025 back in April.

[Anonymous]

As long as you don’t freak out when people don’t follow your secret plan, and you’re willing to adjust as circumstances change, I don’t see anything wrong with this.

[Anonymous]

I keep a list of camps and vacations for the future. For instance, two years ago I learned of a rocket camp that I think my daughter would love, but she has to be 11 yo. So I'll suggest it to her for next summer when she's old enough.

I plan vacations the same way--we won't book that far out but I have a list of ideas ready and sorted and penciled in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I keep a list of camps and vacations for the future. For instance, two years ago I learned of a rocket camp that I think my daughter would love, but she has to be 11 yo. So I'll suggest it to her for next summer when she's old enough.

I plan vacations the same way--we won't book that far out but I have a list of ideas ready and sorted and penciled in.

This is exactly why I do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I keep a list of camps and vacations for the future. For instance, two years ago I learned of a rocket camp that I think my daughter would love, but she has to be 11 yo. So I'll suggest it to her for next summer when she's old enough.

I plan vacations the same way--we won't book that far out but I have a list of ideas ready and sorted and penciled in.

Can you share the rocket camp?

We have a rough list of things we are interested in doing, generally prioritized. I know a lot of things may change with new sports/activities.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you have older kids? What’s the thinking here? Do you think you guys missed out on something that you should have planned for years in advance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given the changes from week to week and month to month with my teens, there is no way I'd be planning summer camp or vacation now for 2026! Sure that camp sounds fun now, but there is no way to know that they will feel the same in a year.

I don't see a problem with writing out a plan in pencil for that far out, but unless you really need to book the vacation to lock in dates or pricing, I would not do it.

I'm impressed your teens even want to go to camp, mine refuse.

It's not even in pencil, just in my head. I've been doing it for 10 years without admitting it to anyone, and it's worked out well.

Then why are you questioning it here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given the changes from week to week and month to month with my teens, there is no way I'd be planning summer camp or vacation now for 2026! Sure that camp sounds fun now, but there is no way to know that they will feel the same in a year.

I don't see a problem with writing out a plan in pencil for that far out, but unless you really need to book the vacation to lock in dates or pricing, I would not do it.

I'm impressed your teens even want to go to camp, mine refuse.

It's not even in pencil, just in my head. I've been doing it for 10 years without admitting it to anyone, and it's worked out well.

Then why are you questioning it here

Because DH thinks it's silly at best and a deep-seated mental issue at worst.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two kids left at home, rising 6th and 10th graders. As long as I allow for flexibility when the time comes, how crazy is it to work out a general summer plan for the remaining summers with them? I'm not talking about buying plane tickets or anything, just something like, "So in 2026, DD will attend Camp Fun Times in June, DS will head to Camp STEM, and in July we'll fly to California to visit Death Valley" or whatever. I'm finding the years are getting limited, and there's so much they and we still want to do. DH thinks signing kids up for summer camps in April of the same year is "planning too far ahead," so my perspective is a little off and I could use unbiased comments.

100% reasonable and rational. Except Death Valley in July. Don’t do that. 😂

[Anonymous]

Next year your 11th graders should get a job. Plan for the youngest, only. And in April is fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given the changes from week to week and month to month with my teens, there is no way I'd be planning summer camp or vacation now for 2026! Sure that camp sounds fun now, but there is no way to know that they will feel the same in a year.

I don't see a problem with writing out a plan in pencil for that far out, but unless you really need to book the vacation to lock in dates or pricing, I would not do it.

I'm impressed your teens even want to go to camp, mine refuse.

It's not even in pencil, just in my head. I've been doing it for 10 years without admitting it to anyone, and it's worked out well.

Then why are you questioning it here

Because DH thinks it's silly at best and a deep-seated mental issue at worst.

Does he ever engage in vacation planning or is it all your job? Is he a jerk in other areas or just this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Next year your 11th graders should get a job. Plan for the youngest, only. And in April is fine.

You realize many camps fill up in January, yes?