Apollo was not an absent dad pre ToA oh my fucking gods
we know this because in BoO Will says this:
‘We don’t know what’s going on at Delphi,’ Will continued. ‘My dad hasn’t answered any prayers, or appeared in any dreams … I mean, all the gods have been silent, but this isn’t like Apollo. Something’s wrong.’
(page 133-134. xiii, Nico)
'but this isn't like Apollo'
WHICH MEANS HE TYPICALLY ANSWERS PRAYERS AND APPEARS IN DREAMS.
and in TLO we get told Michael's sonic arrows are a gift from Apollo:
"A gift from your dad?" I asked. "God of music?" Michael grinned wickedly. "Loud music can be bad for you. Unfortunately, it doesn't always kill."
(page 172, chapter 11, WE BREAK A BRIDGE)
and in ToA none of his children seem to hold any ill will towards him and he's very loving towards them from first sight.
So I think we can conclude that he was not a bad parent pre redemption. (to this generation of demigods at least.)
None of the gods were good parents in the slightest but apollo at least answered his kids #dad of the year
