Dad couldn’t sleep the night before my first job interview. Seemed like overreaction then. But when my friend died in car accident, I understood their anxiety’s actual source.

Parental worry seems irrational because we feel invincible. But they know life’s fragility. They’ve witnessed unexpected tragedies, sudden losses. Our naive optimism registers as dangerous ignorance.

Most profound realization: their worry isn’t about us, but existence’s unpredictability. They know one phone call changes everything. One wrong turn, delayed message, careless moment—life-altering consequences follow.

Parenthood fundamentally rewires anxiety response. Having children means part of yourself walks around beyond your complete control. They see us as extensions; we’re independent agents.

Twenty-somethings think risks are calculated. Parents know calculations often fail. Their experience counters our confidence with constant vigilance. They can’t protect us, so they worry instead.

Perhaps mature understanding: their worry manifests love. Anxiety is care’s uncomfortable expression. Unable to guarantee our safety, they mentally rehearse worst-case scenarios.

Today when I worry about younger siblings, circle completes. Understanding inheritance: I’ll become that parent who worries “too much.”