I strongly debated whether or not to jump in here, so against my better judgement, and relying on the good nature of most every poster, I will just throw my half cents worth in. Our appointee and his two parents attended the first orientation. I heard the question about sponsership (infact I was sitting quite close to the questioner); while I still don't understand what she was driving at I do not want to pile on. But at the risk of adding to this thread that seems to have gotten a bit off track from the initial intent, what I do recognize is that whether son goes to the Academy, or State U, or Private U, or just goes to work every day as I do that as an 18 year old he is an adult, and can include or not include us in his medical/grades, life decisions etc. I, for one, after Christicorp's "tough love" was assuaged immensly by the levening provided by mdanderson. Hopefully, if we have raised our children consitently with our family, religious, and other values our children will want us to be a part of their schooling etc. and will come to us for advice. Admitedly, from a legal perspective, that is all than we can request. The days of demanding ceased when he turned 18. And as you all know, whether or not we rationally understand that it is the best place in the world for our children, they remain our children, they always will be, we will always want to share with them their successes and support them in their failures, and I will continue to want to help them and protect them, even though my ability to do so diminishes with every new step he takes. I rationally understand that son will never be the same once he goes off to school; my parents recognized that too, and yet they lovingly allowed me to do so. Rationally, I get it. Completely. But I can still be emotionally reluctant (ie sad) about what will shortly be lost [or irretrievably changed] forever. And, quite frankly, such introspection may additionally be a reflection of my mortality.
Perhaps I am the only one conflicted, but I doubt it. Anyway, I will conclude that going to the orientation was a great experience: the presentations were excellent but meeting other parents going through the same situations certainly provided welcome support through comradrie.