Dr Mom is dead on. Iday is a last opportunity to provide parental support the child you raised for 18years;--- they are still your kid post IDay, and they still have some growing to do, but they mature hugely during Plebes summer. IDay is an important/meaningful event between parent and child, but its not a fun day. You will wait in line in the morning to turn them over to the Navy. They are gone all day and then given back to you for 30mins before the march into Bancroft, and the Navy will have roughed them up a-bit.
For me, it was my first experience as my daughters "Corner-man". Its the Plebes fight--The Mid's fight--the Officers fight from IDay forward. You provide the safe corner to return to, some work on any cuts from the previous round and words of advice that might help in the next round. Then, a last look in the eyes to let them know that they are "your fighter" and that their corner will always be there after each upcoming round in life. I get that an extended family might need to come for the event BUT DO NOT let them intrude on those precious 30min you have to be the best "corner-man" for your plebe before he/she marches into Bancroft.
I'd try to get to Annapolis a day or two early, just immediate family and DD/DS. Walk around town, give the kid a day or two with the focus entirely on them and the step they are taking. Let em feel how much support they have. One of the best things about hitting town early is that you'll see plebes-n-parents doing the same thing from all over the country. Great kids with great parents in the same boat, anxious to talk and connect. I promise it will make you even happier about your DD/DS's choice. Here again, a family entourage is problematic.
DESERT CALI MOM: Up the page a-bit MJ posted a link to a page that will help you find your local Parents Club------Find it, Use it! If you contact with them, I'd bet $10 that they can set your DD/DS up with a family from your area who will provide a place to sit, people to be with, and a sandwich before the march into Bancroft. We did this for a the DS plebe of a Parents Club member who had to leave early on IDAY. All she had to do was ask and I think 2 0r 3 folks immediately volunteered.
NOTE: The best piece of non-published practical advice we got for IDay came from a CL2017 dad involved with our parents group.
He said: "During IDay while the Navy has your kid, scout around and find a bathroom removed (not too-far) from ceremony area. When your DD/DS is released to you after the oath, walk em over to the bathroom for just a few minutes. It will be cool, (they have been hot all day); it will be private (they have been publicly yelled at all day). DD/DS will have their game face on, but may also be pretty wound up"..... I thought this advise was a little odd, but we did it and MAN WAS HE RIGHT. DD wept as soon as she was in private----nothing specifically wrong, just uncertainty and the enormity of the change in her life. She let it out, took a deep breath, and was back into stride.