O Club is a nice diversion for a Sunday brunch and for Plebes, you get a decent meal on a Sunday. My family went last April for Easter Brunch and it was very nice. Lots of Mid families, especially Plebes' were there. Personally, I very much enjoy going when my parents are up for a weekend. One of the nice things is your are not leaving the yard (for youngster and above) so it is a relatively quick and easy visit, especially if you have studying to do. Yes, some of us upper class do actually still study on Sunday afternoons. I certainly do not mind putting on the Uniform in exchange for a decent meal.
For those of you trash talking the parents who come and visit, I personally think you need to check it and please do not speak for "most, many and a lot" of mids or for that matter parents. First, when you speak of many or most plebes (or mids) - lets be realistic you only really know only about a third of your class, so at best that puts it at maybe 10% of the brigade. Not a very large sample at all so best not imply that it is collective.
That being said I will only speak for myself. I like having my parents come visit. They typically come twice in the fall and once in the spring, plus at the end of finals to move stuff to storage etc. They are respectful of my time and I am not afraid to tell them that I have this and that going on so will not be able to spend as much time as maybe we both would like. My parents are not sick of paying for meals nor am I sick of seeing them. Personally, if you will, that attitude disgusts me. So I guess we are all disgusted at things on the yard. (Also for reference Phillips is closed)
I certainly do not need to sever all ties to my parents to "toughen me up." Nor do I think that visiting parents some how make you less ready for the real world. My parents are quite successful in the real world - my grandparents typically came to visit a few times a year and we went there maybe once a year due to job restrictions (like when living over seas) By your analogy, my parents should not have been ready for the "real world" given that their parents "stalked them." (My grandparents still have season tickets to my parents alma mater as they did the entire time my parents were enrolled there and long before that) My parents realize that I will not get home much after commissioning, so I will welcome them when they are able to visit me. Speaking for my circle of friends - I believe most have that same expectation.
Just because a parent comes to visit by no means is an indication that the cord is still tied! Just because a parent has season football ticket by no means makes them mid stalkers. As far as upperclass going home for a visit if it is close - how is that any different than hanging out at a sponsor parent house - i.e. surrogate parent if you will? So for a blood relative it is looked upon as hovering, but perfectly acceptable for sponsors? Given that some of you think that adult contact is bad - then I suggest the sponsor program get trashed and we all have to hang in the hall 24/7. That certainly would make us ready for the real world - if you define ready as can't wait to get the he** out of here.
As long as your Plebe or Mid is accepting of your visit, then go with it and don't let anyone on here tell you otherwise. Just my two cents....