DH will be coming home for 15 days leave soon from Iraq. We told 13 yo DD, he'd be home about 10 days later than actual date. We want to surprise her at school. I've already talked to the school & gotten permission. Her teacher will either say they have a guest speaker & he'll come in or we'll do it in the cafeteria. The whole reason behind this is for her to feel like we did something special just for her. We have a 2yo son that takes up a lot of my time. Her real Dad is having a new baby & isn't paying much attention to her right now. And DH doesn't email her as much as he should, but is getting better. But, I'm having 2nd thoughts. I don't want her to not have time to prepare herself emotionally for his homecoming & I don't want to take away the going to the airport anticipation from her. Also, I don't want her to be embarrased b/c I'm sure she'll cry & it will be infront of everyone. Please help. I need to see this from her view point. So, if you have teens could you ask them how they would feel? Thanks in advance for the advice.

I don't have teens yet. But I think it is a great idea to surprise her. Does she go to a school where there are other military kids. If she does I am sure they will all understand why she is so emotional. Even if she doesn't the kids are old enough to know I am sure where he has been and why she is so happy to see him. I would do it!

I think it'd be a cute surprise! I plan on surprising my DD at school and she's only 6. We're just going to have dh pick her up from school though

i don't have teens, but my first thought when reading your post & her age, was, gah! she might be embarrassed.

i'd say, you know your daughter best...go on that, & maybe ask her teachers what they think.

I have a 13yo daughter and I think it's a FANTASTIC idea!!

I have a 13yo daughter and I think it's a FANTASTIC idea!!

Would you mind asking her what she thinks?

I think its an awesome idea!!

I think it's a really cute idea, but at the same time I would worry a little about the embarrassment factor. Mainly because I *hate* showing emotions in public, lol, so if she's the same way she may be a tiny bit embarrassed.

DD is only 13 months but I think it would be a cute idea! I think she would love showing off her dad!

I think it's a great idea. I don't really think she'd be too embarrassed, but like stated before you know her best.

I think its a great idea but I'd get more opinions from people who have 13 year olds. Thats a very uncertain age lol :) Best of luck

i love the idea!!
i wouldn't worry about her getting embarassed, that will be the last thought on her mind.
but since this will probably be emmotional i would set it up where dh comes at the end of school that day or arrange for her to leave early for the day!
i always see the clips on tv of dads suprising their children at school and it makes me cry!! if i had a child i would do it!!

I think that is an AWESOME idea, how cool for your daughter to see her dad and show him off at the same time! However, if your daughter is easily embarrassed and wouldn't like it then you know your daughter best and what would be the best thing to do.

Maybe he could pick her up from school that day :dunno What if you tell her she has a dentist appointment that day so you will be picking her up about 5 minutes early from school to get there on time. When they call her down to the office, or when you walk out to the car he could be there waiting for her :dunno That would still surprise her, yet not be embarassing. Plus, I would imagine it would be hard to get thru the rest of the day if you did it at lunch time. How exciting tho!!

I think its cool u are going to do that!

I think it's a GREAT idea...i've seen those videos of kids being suprised and i LOVE them!!! I wish you the best with whatever decision you make!! I'm sure your DD will be happy either way!!

Maybe he could pick her up from school that day :dunno What if you tell her she has a dentist appointment that day so you will be picking her up about 5 minutes early from school to get there on time. When they call her down to the office, or when you walk out to the car he could be there waiting for her :dunno That would still surprise her, yet not be embarassing. Plus, I would imagine it would be hard to get thru the rest of the day if you did it at lunch time. How exciting tho!!

this seems like a great idea!

I think it is a great idea. Face it, this is a good surprise! might be embarrassing but well worth it. She isn't gonna care about what people think, just her daddy. i would schedule it so she can go home because face it, she isn't gonna wanna stay.

Let us know how it works out!

Just 3 weeks ago we surprised 2 of our 3 kids at school. They are 9 and 11. For our 13 year old son, we just waited until he walked into the house from school. It was awesome doing both ways. It's something none of us will ever forget. Either way, it's very emotional on the whole family, but worth it all! Have fun and enjoy!

I think this is a wonderful idea. I'm raising my 15 year old brother and 17 year old sister. I know my brother would be embarrassed but my sister wouldn't.
I think her happiness will outweigh ANY embarrassment. Go for it!!! :)

I think it's a cute idea. Even IF she gets embarrassed now, 10 years from now, she'll remember the surprise and love it, ya know?

I think it's a great idea and something she would remember for the rest of her life.

Maybe he could pick her up from school that day :dunno What if you tell her she has a dentist appointment that day so you will be picking her up about 5 minutes early from school to get there on time. When they call her down to the office, or when you walk out to the car he could be there waiting for her :dunno That would still surprise her, yet not be embarassing. Plus, I would imagine it would be hard to get thru the rest of the day if you did it at lunch time. How exciting tho!!

i think yours is a good a idea..but :agree with this idea if she gets embarassed easily.....so excited for all of you though...

I think this is a wonderful idea. I'm raising my 15 year old brother and 17 year old sister. I know my brother would be embarrassed but my sister wouldn't.
I think her happiness will outweigh ANY embarrassment. Go for it!!! :)

Kudos to you for raising your bro & sis. B/c of the age difference (12 years) I asked my DD. She said she wanted to wait until she was done w/ college & settled. So, until she turns 25 we have a spare guardian set up, that DD picked for them. It makes my breath easier knowing she will be there to take care of him if needed. Hugs to you & GOD's Blessings to your family.

The school gave her off the whole time he is home. I explained how none of the dates are set in stone b/c the military changes everything all the time. And she will return part way through for a couple days to get all of her school work etc if our travel plans don't get in the way. They have been so wonderful about it all. So, the day he arrives we will be taking her home w/ us from school.

Would you mind asking her what she thinks?

Sorry...I just saw this. I asked her a few minutes ago and she said that she would care if he came to school in a bathing suit...just the fact that he came home would be good enough for her. :grin: HTH

ME, personally, I would have loved that when I was 13!

I think its a super cute idea :yes

I love this idea :thumbsup I think the other kids would understand why she might be emotional, and I'm sure she'd love to show him off at school! good luck!

I hope this all goes well for you!

My DD 8 yrs old says she would love to be surpised.. just have her watch one of them on youtube and see what her reaction is.
I too dont have teens yet, so Im not sure. but I think its a great idea

Thank you all for all the advice. I can't wait for my man to call & say he's headed this way. Only a few more weeks. Yippie.

I think its really cool. I don't think that your daughter will be embarrassed at all.. and if so she's going home with you right after so it won't really matter.. besides, what are the other kids going to say? there's really no way they could like twist any of that and be mean or hurt her feelings or have anything to say about it what so ever.. like "oooh you cried because you dad came home" yea doesn't make any sense lol.. ( i hope that came out right )

I agree, it wouldnt surpise me if there wasnt a school full of teens shedding a tear for her!

I cant wait to hear to hear what you decide and how it goes