How to Build a Summer of Parenting You Can Be Proud Of

Summer gets busy for every parent, but, thankfully, we have 6 reminders to help you make everyday life with your kids extra special this summer. To top it off - each idea is brought to you by one of our WAY-FM artists! Enjoy.

1. Embrace the unexpected.

Thanks Jason Roy (from Building 429) for sharing this wonderful photo of fun with your daughter! We may not all be gutsy enough to let our daughters cut our hair, but there's something to be said for letting something out-of-the-ordinary happen every now and then. It makes for some very memorable moments.

My daughter just gave me a haircut... Yeah... you heard right. pic.twitter.com/cptozFeV21 — Jason Roy (@jasonroy429) July 9, 2014

2. Don't be afraid to keep things simple.

Do you realize how much the little things can mean to your kids? This Instagram posted by Justin from Sidewalk Prophets on a "Daddy-Daughter Date" says it all. Don't let simple things like this become just another cliche!

3. Introduce the summer necessities!

Summer equals swimming for a lot of families out there! Make sure your kids know the basics so they can have a blast in the water, but stay safe, too! Thanks to Mike Weaver from Big Daddy Weave for this adorable tweet! (Who better to get Daddy advice from, right?)

Me with a couple of extraordinary swim students... pic.twitter.com/DdK8qBa3Ul — Mike Weaver (@mikedaddyweave) April 19, 2013

4. Include them in whatever you're up to.

No, we don't all have to take our baby on tour with us, but shout out to Laura Story - she does it with such grace and we love the relationship she has with her daughter! Laura reminds us not to take the mundane for granted. Let the kiddos help with grocery shopping, picking what's for dinner, or visiting the office to see where Mom or Dad gets to work everyday.

5. Support their endeavors - whatever age they are!

What about those of us who's kids have somehow grown up before our very eyes? They still need your love and support! Trust us, it means a lot. Watching Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife cherish each moment of their sons' brand new album release is a great example! Don't get us wrong, the new music is great, but one of the best things about this album release has been watching the Chapman family rally around the guys and celebrate their success.

6. Cherish the moments/

In the words of Jason Gray:

"#tbt to this last weekend when we drove home from #campshetek through the night and I carried this little dude in from the car, stood him up in the kitchen and told him to go upstairs while I went back out to close all the car doors. When I came back, I found that he had laid down on the floor and gone back to sleep, which gave me one more opportunity to lift him up in my arms (my last? How many more times will I get to do this?) and carry him upstairs to bed..."

Happy Summer!