Because of distance from home (18 min drive), I have a habit of staying at the masjid from Dhuhr to Isha. However, my parents feel sad and wish I was home more, perhaps 1 or 2 days in the week. Is it against birr al walidain if I stay at the masjid? How should I approach this situation?

Ustadh AbdulAziz al-Haqqan

Since the masjid is far it is not mandatory to pray there, u can pray at home jama'ah. So reduce the time at the masjid for example stay from magjrib until after isha in the masjid if u want or vice virsa, and be home to be dutiful to your parents.