Over the past year, I've done a lot of growing up. Examples here, here and here … and I think my parents are having a tough time with it.

Five years ago, I left the nest and headed off to college. Since I'm the youngest of four daughters, my parents experienced a little empty nest syndrome . But they did OK. I might have been out of the nest, but in college, at least I was still on the branch. My parents still had a big influence on what was going on in my life—and I depended on them to help me.

For the past year, I've been spreading my wings a little more. I keep creeping farther and farther away from the nest—and now, as I'm purchasing a home, I'm ready to head to my own tree.

My home search has taken a toll on me and the ‘rents. I'm trying to be independent and grown up. They're trying to make sure nothing happens to their baby girl. We've been clashing a little bit in the form of some heated discussions:

Dad (protectively): Aren't you rushing into this a little? This is a big commitment. Are you sure you know what you're doing?

Me (sarcastically): No I haven't researched at all; I'm going into this completely blind. Why can't you trust that I'm able to be an adult?

You get the picture …

Change is difficult, but inevitable. Parents—and children, too—really have to take a step back and ask how the other party will be affected by the change (and, perhaps more importantly, your response to it).

During this transitional time of year, you might be going through changes as well. High school graduates are ready to leave the nest, and college graduates are slowly moving farther out on the branch. What part of the tree are you on, and how are you coping?