When your kids get old enough to start making decisions, it\u2019s difficult to know when to step back and when to take over. No one wants to be the helicopter mom<\/a>, but you want to make sure your kids are getting the best opportunities. Summer vacation is one area where you want to get more involved.<\/p>\n

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Here are a few ways pre-planning your child\u2019s summer benefits you.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. You can make decisions together<\/strong><\/p>\n

When you have to make arrangements at the last-minute, oftentimes, you\u2019re calling the shots without any input from the kiddos. But if you give yourself a little time, you can talk things over. Sure, some things won\u2019t be negotiable, but you can let your kids choose whatever activities they can.<\/p>\n

As soon as the options are available, collect all the possibilities and discuss them with your kids. Make sure you keep any scheduling conflicts in mind. It may help to grab a pencil and mark up a calendar. If you have more than one child, this may be a process that takes some time.<\/p>\n

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2. Your kids will have more opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n

All the popular summer activities sell out fast. So, if your kids are going to be going to camp or taking some extracurriculars, you\u2019ll want to book them in advance. It could be the difference between adventure camp and knitting 101, so this is very important.<\/p>\n

Stress the importance of choosing wisely because most activities cannot be changed after you make a deposit.<\/p>\n

3. You can arrange more free time in the summer<\/strong><\/p>\n

Just like the activities, good childcare can sell out fast too. If you\u2019re planning to put your kids into a program or book the most reputable nanny, you\u2019ll want to pre-plan. And as a bonus, you may be able to book more date nights if you make arrangements with a babysitter early in the season. You can even schedule a night every week or every other week to get away with your significant other.<\/p>\n

4, You can finalize your vacation<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you book your vacation before you plan your kids\u2019 activities, you may regret it. For example, what happens if there\u2019s a big soccer tournament the week of your vacation? If you had booked the extracurriculars first, you could have worked your vacation around the big events.<\/p>\n

Plan your kids\u2019 camps, sports practices and music lessons<\/a> before you decide when to take your family vacation. This will also save you from spending money on weeks of programs you won\u2019t be using.<\/p>\n

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5. You can plan for anything<\/strong><\/p>\n

When you know what your summer is going to look like, you can plan. For example, if you\u2019re taking a road trip, you can pre-plan vehicle service<\/a>. Things like this can easily get away from you, so try booking any important appointments as soon as you plan your summer activities. This may include doctors\u2019 visits, dentist appointments or even haircuts.<\/p>\n

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Planning doesn\u2019t solve every problem, but it can certainly help you get the most out of your summer. What are your best summer planning tips?<\/p>\n

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This is a sponsored guest post. The views and ideals expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Mommy Ramblings.<\/p>\n