for more years than I would have ever imagined, I have found here a community of intelligent, funny, self-deprecating , silly, helpful, opinionated, fashionistas, non-fashionistisas , home improvers, home non-improves, finance guys, all-of - the-above type people. I just want to say thanks for being here as a community. Even as our kidos have aged out of the forum. There is value in hearing what each and every one of you think as we move down the road.
So, when do I cut the cord?
You don’t!
Pay it forward.
Are we really the ones to ask? 
When you don’t want to talk about new books, new movies, dishwashers, exercise, dressing young, or (wait for it) college any more.
Join the business and you can stay here forever! 
dragonmom, you don’t cut the cord! But you do find yourself staying more and more within the confines of the Cafe, where college is rarely discussed.
It is an interesting question. (Quick answer- never.)
But it does make me wonder, who has been here the longest past having kids in college?
I never leave the cafe and DS finished college in 2010. I love the cafe! Although he did have a brush with considering grad school in 2012 if that counts; I did venture forth into other areas at that time.
My kids graduated college in 2010 and 2013. I still like the folks in Parent Cafe. It is an interesting group of folks that tend to have thoughtful and differing viewpoints I find valuable. I have gotten a lot of good advice here–mostly unrelated to colleges.
When you find the same sort of people on another forum- not going to happen. We oldsters have more time to waste.
Are we supposed to leave?
I don’t think anyone is supposed to leave, at least not voluntarily
My youngest is 31 and graduated college in 2007. He did, however, go back for a PhD and graduated that in 2012. I have no plans on leaving. Will be here when my grandchildren start college.
I have no plans to leave either. Where else can you find so many “people like us”? I love the conversation here, and I don’t even have to clean up the house before we all sit down to chat!
Cut the cord after all of your grandchildren have careers and begin raising families. By then there might not even be any colleges.
Ditto.
(That’s a movie reference for us old geezers).
The Cafe is my life touchstone; I may not post much but I’m not leaving.
Kids are 33,31, and 28.
I doubt that I’ve been here the longest but I’m probably on the shortlist. My profile says that I came here in 2004 but I think that it was actually earlier than that when the theatre forums, and possibly all of the others, were under a different set-up. My youngest of 5Ds is now a doctor and I’m a grandmother, so a LOT has happened in the interim. 
I can’t say when it is time to cut the cord. I participate here in the Café but also still in the theatre forums because I have a close connection to the theatre community and business, and can still be helpful there. However, many of the newbie members have little appreciation for those of us who have been around for a long time, so my participation is mainly via PM.
I have taken breaks now and then through the years but always seem to return. I enjoy the Café and the varied topics. Although I’ve met a few CC members in person, there are a lot who I would truly enjoy meeting, including a few who no longer post here. Speaking of which, if anyone has any info on dstark, I’d appreciate a PM.
@alwaysamom reminded me - does anyone know the whereabouts of @TopTier (the very helpful Duke alum who’s a long-time poster)? I haven’t seen him around in ages and I worry … he was so helpful to me 2 years ago and I PMd him to thank him last spring but only radio silence. Didn’t know if anyone knows him IRL?