Graduation season is here, and as the parent of a senior, it’s not just a milestone for my son — it marks a transition for my husband and me as well.

I used to roll my eyes at the cliché that kids grow up in the blink of an eye. Some days as a parent feel endless. Raising a child is hard, and sometimes, your only goal is simply to make it through the day.

But, my identity is deeply tied to being a mom, and while parenting can feel overwhelming, I wouldn’t trade a single moment — good or bad — for anything.

Despite the long days, the great moments, and the life we’ve lived with our son, somehow we looked up, and he was walking across the stage to receive his high school diploma. And we wondered – where did the time go?

My son won’t be heading to college. He’s entering the workforce, but his graduation still signals a shift for our family. Life at home is changing. The routines, the roles — even the way we plan our days — are shifting now that he’s no longer part of the equation when juggling the schedules of three kids.

Everything is adjusting as he leaves childhood behind and begins building his future.

And, like any change, it’s not always easy. Transitions take time. They require patience. And sometimes, they require a little support and grace — from each other and from those around us.

Books that offer parents and young adults guidance through the transitions that graduation brings include:

• “Empty Nest: Strategies to Help Your Kids Take Flight” by Marci Seither

I added this book to my Kindle library the week my son graduated because the description captured exactly how I felt. Our nest, once full of activity with our oldest son, now feels quieter — just a few scattered feathers left behind. Though I still have two more sons to raise, the transition of our oldest becoming an adult is happening, whether I’m ready or not. I’m hopeful this book will help me embrace this change and support him in the best way I can.

• “Have Fun, Be Safe, I Love You: And Everything Else I Want to Say to My Kids About College and Beyond” by Kate Hickey

This book reflects the words so many parents often say to their kids, whether it’s a big milestone or just a regular day: “Be safe, have fun, I love you.” It’s full of practical advice for students transitioning to college, organized into sections on living independently, using campus resources, and planning for the future. It’s a great resource for any young person getting ready to begin the next chapter of their lives.

• “Where’s Mom Now That I Need Her?: Surviving Away from Home” by Betty Rae Frandsen and Kent P. Frandsen

My mom gave me this book not long after I moved into my first apartment – probably after I’d called her too many times with questions about cooking, cleaning and all the things only moms seem to know. I still have it today, filled with bookmarks sticking out everywhere. When you can’t call Mom, this book is the next best thing.

As my husband and I settle into this new season, I’m learning that parenting doesn’t stop when our kids graduate — it just changes. We may not be packing lunches or checking homework anymore, but the support, love and guidance is still there, just in different ways. Whether our kids are heading to college, starting a job or figuring things out one day at a time, we’re still in it with them — just from a little more distance.

These books can offer comfort and reassurance to anyone navigating the bittersweet transitions that come with watching a child grow up and step into the next chapter of life.

Michelle Hilburn is a librarian at Purdy schools. She may be reached at mhilburn@purdyk12.com.