As the child of two public school teachers it took me quite some time before I realized not everyone had a summer break.

It also took me quite some time before I realized not everyone had parents who would correct their child like two grammar-terrett robots. To this day, when speaking if I end a question in “at,” I quickly turn around expecting to see — better yet hear — my mother.

Now, with a child about to enter fifth grade, I have come to realize that summers are far too short and go by in the blink of an eye. It seems like just yesterday we were cleaning out cubbies and enjoying end-of-year ceremonies.

So for us, Monday marks the start of another school year and so too does the morning routine that is anything but. There is the unforgiving alarm clock, the loving pleas to wake up and get dressed and the daily disagreements over what to wear, what to eat and when to leave.

But, in the three-ring circus that is our mornings, there is something comforting about it. Maybe it’s the fact our circus is something that is simply expected each morning, or it’s the challenge of surviving it.

While growing up, I had the opportunity to observe my parents on our school mornings. They were a little different than most, as we were all heading to the same place each day, me as a student and them as teachers.

For some reason, I remember those mornings being far more organized and less chaotic.

Maybe Stephanie and I just need a little more experience.

So as we welcome in a new school year, I want to take this opportunity to offer a heartfelt thanks and prayer to our teachers and administrators, office personnel and support staff at each of our schools.

While we as parents thought our summer was short, I know far too well your summers are even shorter and often include workshops, career development courses and workdays.

And, I offer my deepest well wishes and prayers to my fellow parents. Let the games begin; the games of getting our children up, dressed, fed and out the door on time with as few cuss words as possible.

Tim Reeves is publisher of The Vicksburg Post. You may reach him at tim.reeves@vicksburgpost.com