A graduation should be a time for family to celebrate together, but that isn’t always the case.

Much like other big events, like weddings or welcoming a new baby, this change in a phase of life can be the ideal circumstances for old resentments and arguments to resurface—or for entirely new ones to be created. The stress that comes with these supposedly happy events can turn them into disasters.

When you are the individual at the center of the commotion, what is meant to be a happy moment can fast turn into a nightmare if you or anyone participating in the event starts to act in a way that starts drama. It is unfortunate, but it becomes unavoidable in certain situations. The best that can be done is to try to manage the fallout and make the best of things, even if some people are determined to ruin everything.