We’re in the midst of one of the most hectic, joyful, and simultaneously tearful seasons of the year: Graduation time. All around, young people are celebrating the completion of their journeys through high school, college and beyond. Social media and casual gatherings are full of parents sharing pictures of their graduates or soon-to-be-graduates; suddenly, it’s almost as if all these kids are babies again, with Mom and Dad rushing to capture and document every moment. Graduation is a wonderful accomplishment, but it’s also a reminder that time moves quickly and nests are about to be empty.

Along with the celebrations come the questions: Where are you going next? Do you have a job lined up? What school will you attend? What will your major be? Are you living at home for the summer? And so on. Meanwhile, other members of the family, especially younger siblings, might start to feel a little pushed aside as all the attention focuses on the graduate. As with any transition, graduations can be a time of mixed emotions and lots of insecurity for all while everyone adjusts to the next steps. Try these casual conversation starters with your family to help take the focus off the “what’s next?” questions and discuss graduation season without all the pressure.