I Keep My Parents in the Dark About My Freelance Income

So here's the thing. I've been working as a freelance graphic designer for about three years now. When I first started, my parents were super supportive and excited for me. They always said things like 'it's so cool you get to work from home' or 'being your own boss must be great.' But as time went on, the reality of freelancing sunk in. There are good months when the projects come rolling in, but there are also lean months where it feels like my email inbox is empty and I'm staring at a blank screen for days without any real work to do. My parents are traditional, they've always had steady jobs with set hours and benefits. So whenever we talk about finances or career stuff, they kind of look at me sideways because their idea of success and stability doesn't really mesh with my reality as a freelancer. I know it's not fair of them to expect the same for me, but sometimes it feels like that's what they're doing. Here’s the confession: I've been lying about how much money I earn from freelancing. Sure, I tell them when I get a big check or something really good happens in my business. But those lean months where nothing is happening? I either just skip talking about it at all or make up some excuse like 'the client's paying next month,' even though that might not be true. It feels awful and dishonest. I was thinking the other day, maybe they'd understand if I opened up more and showed them the ups and downs of freelancing? But then again, what if they get worried or think I'm making bad decisions? That's why I've kept it a secret so far. I don't want them to worry about me financially. So here’s my question: Am I being overly cautious by keeping this from them, or is it okay to keep certain parts of life private even if they're well-intentioned and just trying to help? How do you balance that line between transparency and protecting your loved ones' peace of mind?