My Mum was a single mum. When I was about 7 she had the opportunity to go to Singapore for two weeks with work. I can remember her telling me about it. I can remember me crying about it.
It was a choice, more of a nice treat than part of her job. She didn't go.
During term time in primary I spent about 2 hours at a neighbours after school until my Mum was home. Her daughter was my best friend so it was fun. During school holidays we would go to a care scheme where you spent the whole day with other kids doing fun things all day long. Then i'd go home to my Mum and her full attention because she was finished with work and there were no distractions.
No team meetings, no phonecalls, just time with my Mum.
I never felt in the way or that she had something better to do, I never had to be quiet because she was working her business.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with parents working, it does not harm the children at all. I can't think of any time when I felt hard done by.
Also, secondary school during the school holidays, at home alone with no parent and friends round. That was nice, never did anything naughty, but it was nice to have friends over without feeling watched.