Although I was part of a small family growing up, my brother was almost 10 years older than I am, and he left home when I was 8. My father was always gone, either working or traveling, and my mother didn't like me to bother her. She liked to watch her soaps. So from age 8 onward it was like living alone with possibly an hour a day of human interaction.
I live alone now, and I am very grateful and happy to be alone again...finally.