I have 4 children here, 1 adopted and 3 biologicaly, they do just fine. Left to their own resources with the others is just like things should be, they build their own trucks,instead of pressureing me to take 'em to Walmart, play ball,each has their own plants and flowers in the yard, heck my 3 year old daughter can completely drive a 2 inch nail into a block of wood and ALL of them speak 3 idiomas understandably English,Spanish, and Miskito.
Being able to comunicate with people on their own level, and with cultural inflections to boot is priceless! come on down!
JWG

My sister and her husband moved to Nicaragua and lived there for two years. She has a 10 year old and a 5 year old (12 and 7 now). My sister's kids to this day love Nicaragua and can't wait to go back again, this time for good (they are moving back for good in 3 months). I mean, these kids, basically rode their bikes until the tires could take no more, their shoes' soles were worn out from running, playing baseball in the street in front of the house, or basketball in the town's park (every city or town has a park and many times a basketball court nearby), they play with very simple toys but with lots of other little kids.

Trust me, Nicaragua is a friendly place and kids are going to enjoy all the additional time that you (parents) will get to spend with them and the friendly people everywhere. It just works out that way.

Wes

As long as your children are not shy, they will have no problem learning Spanish. There are several good English taught schools in Nicaragua, if you need for them to attend school during the time you are in Nicaragua, figuring that they will not know enough of the language to get by in a regular spanish taught school.

Plenty of tutors around, but I think that it will be a more relaxing and enjoyable environment for your children just to learn spanish playing with the children of the neighborhood. Children are truly different in Nicaragua. There doesnt seem to be as much bullying as there is in the states for on. I also find it funny how many of the older kids all the way up into their teens try to get the little guys involved. For instance in the barrio I live in, in Managua if some of the Teenagers are out playing soccer, basketball or volleyball in the street and the little guys are looking on they will pass them the ball and get them in.

My daughter is Nicaraguan and my family and friends in the states have asked me on several occasions why dont you bring her up to the states to live. She will live better and safer. I truly do not believe that hoewver. Nicaragua may be a poor country but the community is based around the family, and I believe that this is the best place in the world to raise your children

After being here I realize that not wanting to bring kids here is wacko. Half the population is under 16. Unlike the U.S., kids here really are "part of the family". They belong. The only scary thing is that your kids might develop real "family values" (rather than the BS concept in the U.S.) and be disappointed with what they find back in the U.S.

Everything that is related to labor is cheap here. You could probably get a private tutor for $100/mo but, the reality is, you kids will learn so much more by interacting with the other kids.

Look at the photos of the people here. Some adults, lots of kids. Everyone smiles here a lot more than people in the U.S. When you are here, you will see why.