Epic fantasy hero wanted (leave your mama home)

Re: last post, Stephanie Perkins made an interesting comment:

"I've thought a lot about this phenomena, too. Yeah, mothers (and parents, in general) are far more likely to be a part of realistic fiction — the Ramona books, Meg Cabot's Allie Finkle series, anything Judy Blume, Junie B. Jones, etc. As you wisely pointed out, a mother would step in if anything TOO dangerous was happening to the protagonist, which is why moms are less likely to be found in fantasy, where the stakes usually HAVE to be higher. In realistic middle grade fiction, the struggle is often school or peer-related, which parents often do want their children to work out for themselves.

"This idea applies to young adult literature, too. Parents are more likely to be found in contemporary YA, because they're a part of real teenage life, and they're generally absent in fantasy, paranormal, and dystopian worlds (though sometimes they're a driving force to action, like in Katniss' case).

"I'm intrigued that you tried to write a fantasy in which parents were involved, but it that wouldn't work. Fascinating! But it makes sense. :-)"

What do you think--realistic fiction allows for parents but fantasy excludes by nature? I see truth in this observation. My current work-in-progress is contemporary setting with fantastic elements. The main character's parents are both a large part of the story, but she also has to leave them, go away and do things. Some of you commented that this is true in life as well. We leave home in order to grow into ourselves.