Can let this one go by. Parents, the bane of existance for our children. Jim and I have children the same age, 18, 15 and 10. All boys and always pushing envelope, tugging on the apron strings, etc. We have a good relationship, I think, but not without conflict or miscommunication. Fights always end with a hug, handshake and "I love you."
Questions that require deeper thinking or answers longer than a few words, do occasionally throw us off balance. I, at one time, used those very words, some day you will understand, only to ask myself "When would be that day?" As they have grown older, I have made great strides in pushing aside my own ideas and tried to grasp more of helping/guiding them through life. My children also know the "parental" over protection, their mom. Hundred questions when leaving the house, going out for the evening, visiting a friend, etc. Watching and listening to everything.
I am about 90degrees to the left of this and it works for us. They know the basic routine, and as long as they stay clean and let me know about their movements, things go pretty smoothe. When they don't well, discussions and disagreements follow. The thing about going out into the neighborhood, has changed since the 50's, 60's and 70's. I think we need to be more concerned today than in the past. We, parents, may seem to be over reacting sometimes, but, just turn on the news and really listen to what has happened today. In our day, we may have been more lax because of ingnorance, but listening to the news can make someone paranoid, if you take everything to heart. Geez, parents are humans too,you know, at least most of them. We aren't perfect either, and mimmic how we are raised, with a few suttle differences.
Enough on this topic, I think everyone gets my idea. I never really knew my parents as an adult, they died pretty young, but I do appreciate everything they gave me. Tell your parents you love them, make their day!