It is that time of year again. Winter begins to turn into spring, and the leaves finally begin to come back. The cold weather starts creeping away and then suddenly, summer is upon us! But we must remember, seasons are a good thing. They remind us that everything changes and progresses. Everyone has their favorite seasons and certain ones they hate, but I am sure that everyone would agree that each season has it’s own beautiful characteristics.

And when it comes to families, sometimes we need that reminder too.

As our students and youth adjust to no longer being just a son or daughter, but also being a friend, a schoolmate, an athlete, a musician—or whatever else that might be beginning to define who they are—they sometimes just need the reminder that all this change is normal. That the tension this change brings is normal. That the change is good and it is a process of growing up. And while the changing way they relate to their parents may feel weird, it’s not only good—it’s necessary. The key is learning to live in the tension that changing from season to season requires.

Bottom Line: Growing away from our families feels uncomfortable, but it’s an essential part of growing up.