My friends were all pretty much in the same situation. I didn't really think in terms of missing my parents - my friends and I were too busy having fun or as we got older too busy making money. It forced me to become independent very early on which I think has been useful throughout life.

This sounds similar to my experience. I didn’t miss my parents at all, I was comfortably independent at a younger age. Even on weekends when parents were home, I’d rather be out playing with my friends.

I remember leaving notes on the table saying “need $ for X” and I’d find cash there the next day. I needed them but we weren’t each others friends and didn’t need to spend an excessive amount of time together.

They called us latchkey kids and it was amazing.