Sometimes it was too "interesting". I was 13 in 1962. A few years later, my parents worked at the UN in New York City. I met some people who were into LSD, and started smuggling it back home. When things got iffy, I ran away, and lived on the road. After a few years, I found a mentor, and got refugee status. Then college and grad school, and a ~middle class life :)
I don't think that I've had any kids. But yes, I would have been a laissez-faire parent, I think. Although it's possible that I might have become paranoid and over-protective (and over-controlling).