My Daughters Are Grown, and I Still Love and Worry About Them, and I Will Not Stop, No Matter What, Ever.

When my daughters were little, I remember thinking, “Once they’re older, it’ll get easier. Once they’re grown, I won’t worry so much.” Oh, how naive I was. Here’s the truth: they’re grown now, and I still love them fiercely, and I still worry about them constantly. It’s not the same kind of worry as when they were toddlers running toward a flight of stairs or teenagers out past curfew, but it’s there—always there. And you know what? I’ve come to realize that this love, this worry, this constant hum of concern and care, is never going to stop. Not now, not ever.

The Love That Grows With Them

When they were babies, my love felt all-consuming. It was a love that kept me awake at night, rocking them back to sleep, and a love that made me cry the first time I left them with a babysitter. As they grew, so did my love. It became a love that cheered them on at softball games, that held them after their first heartbreak, and that celebrated their victories, big and small.

Now that they’re adults, my love has evolved again. It’s quieter in some ways, less hands-on, but no less powerful. I love the women they’ve become—strong, beautiful, independent, and capable. I love the way they navigate the world with confidence and grace. But here’s the thing: no matter how capable they are, no matter how much they’ve grown, they’re still my babies. And that love? It’s still all-consuming.

The Worry That Never Leaves

Worrying about your children is like breathing—it’s just something you do. When they were little, I worried about scraped knees and dumb-assed bullies at school. When they were teenagers, I worried about bad influences and reckless decisions. Now that they’re grown, the worries have changed, but they haven’t gone away.

I worry about their careers. Are they happy in their jobs? Are they being treated well? I worry about their relationships. Are they with people who respect and cherish them? I worry about their health, their finances, their dreams. Are they eating well? Are they saving money? Are they chasing the things that light them up inside?

And then there are the bigger worries—the ones that keep me up at night. What if something happens to them and I’m not there to help? What if they’re struggling and they don’t tell me? What if they’re hurting and they feel alone?

The truth is, no matter how old they get, no matter how capable they become, I will always worry about them. It’s not because I don’t trust them or believe in them—it’s because I love them. And when you love someone as much as I love my daughters, worry comes with the territory.

Letting Go (But Not Really)

People talk about “letting go” when your children grow up, but I don’t think that’s quite right. It’s not about letting go—it’s about stepping back. It’s about giving them the space to make their own decisions, to live their own lives, and to learn from their own mistakes. But stepping back doesn’t mean stepping away.

I’m still here, always here, ready to offer advice when they ask (and sometimes when they don’t). I’m still here to listen when they need to vent, to celebrate when they succeed, and to comfort them when they fall. I’m still here to remind them that they’re loved, that they’re capable, and that they’re never alone.

Letting go? No. Being there in a different way? Absolutely.

The Unbreakable Bond

One of the most beautiful things about having grown daughters is the bond we share. It’s different now—more like a friendship, but with the depth and history that only a father-daughter relationship can have. We laugh together, we cry together, and we talk about everything from the mundane to the profound.

But even as our relationship has evolved, one thing has stayed the same: the unbreakable bond between us. It’s a bond that was formed the moment I held them in my arms for the first time, and it’s a bond that will last for the rest of my life.

That bond is why I still love them so fiercely. It’s why I still worry about them so much. And it’s why I will never stop doing either, no matter how old they get.

The Gift of Being Their Dad

Being a Dad is the greatest gift I’ve ever been given. It’s also the hardest job I’ve ever had. There have been moments of joy and moments of heartbreak, moments of pride and moments of fear. But through it all, one thing has remained constant: my love for my daughters.

That love has shaped me, changed me, and made me who I am. It’s a love that has brought me more happiness than I ever thought possible, and it’s a love that has brought me to my knees many more times than I can count. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

My daughters are grown now, but they’re still my babies. They always will be. And no matter where life takes them, no matter what challenges they face, I will always be here—loving them, worrying about them, and cheering them on every step of the way.

Closing: So, to my daughters, if you’re reading this: know that I love you more than words can ever express. Know that I’m proud of the women you’ve become. And know that no matter how old you get, no matter where life takes you, I will always be here—loving you, worrying about you, and believing in you. Always.

And to all the parents out there who are navigating this journey of loving and worrying about your grown children: you’re not alone. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Because this love, this worry, this unbreakable bond—it’s what makes us parents. And it’s what makes life so beautifully, wonderfully full.

Dean Benson, "The Dean of Rock & Roll", on Sky7music.com middays everyday!

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