Hello everyone,
Being a parent can be challenging, and even more so when moving abroad, but it can also be an enriching experience. Tell us more below about your role as a parent in Costa Rica.
How are you experiencing your parental role in your new home? Has your move abroad changed anything in your parental perspective or approach?
On a professional level, have you been able to balance your family life and career? How so? Tell us about the benefits that parents can enjoy in Costa Rica, such as maternity leave, etc.?
How do you deal with being a parent as an expat, without the support of your extended family in the country?
Do you have any advice on how to introduce the culture in your new country to your children, while maintaining the traditions and customs of your home country?
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Priscilla
Parenting in Costa Rica
Hola,raising kids in Costa Rica is a challange.There are lots of bad things a young person can get into namely drugs,and alcohol.Good parenting comes into play here.I talk to my 13 year old son frequently about this,and point out people here in our pueblo that have fallen to these evils as an example.Young people need things to do also.Here in Costa Rica,there are less opportunities than kids have in the United States.Both our children go to private school,not to put down the public school system here as both our son,and 11 year old daughter have been enrolled previously,private school is more challenging,with a premium on discipline.My daughter likes to dance,she is very interested in that,and we encourage her.There is a good program at her school.Girls get pregnant here at an early age,mainly from what I've seen is the parents give up and let the kids out into the street after dark.Not in our house,boundaries and curfews.My son is in love with surfing,we both are.We live beachfront,and I first took him out when he was 4 years old.In order to be a good surfer and water man you need to be healthy,drug and alcohol free.He's entered in a surf contest this Saturday in Tamarindo.like I said ,find things for them to do becuse boredom is an enemy here.Give them love, stay interested in their llives,and lead by example..Pura Vida.
Surffeaver wrote:Hola,raising kids in Costa Rica is a challange.There are lots of bad things a young person can get into namely drugs,and alcohol.Good parenting comes into play here.I talk to my 13 year old son frequently about this,and point out people here in our pueblo that have fallen to these evils as an example.Young people need things to do also.Here in Costa Rica,there are less opportunities than kids have in the United States.Both our children go to private school,not to put down the public school system here as both our son,and 11 year old daughter have been enrolled previously,private school is more challenging,with a premium on discipline.My daughter likes to dance,she is very interested in that,and we encourage her.There is a good program at her school.Girls get pregnant here at an early age,mainly from what I've seen is the parents give up and let the kids out into the street after dark.Not in our house,boundaries and curfews.My son is in love with surfing,we both are.We live beachfront,and I first took him out when he was 4 years old.In order to be a good surfer and water man you need to be healthy,drug and alcohol free.He's entered in a surf contest this Saturday in Tamarindo.like I said ,find things for them to do becuse boredom is an enemy here.Give them love, stay interested in their llives,and lead by example..Pura Vida.
I would very much agree with what you are saying with one caveat, I would not say that Costa Rica is any more of a challenge than most other countries.
My daughter was close friends with a neighbor girl who spent a lot of time with us. We saw her go from 4th grade through graduating public high school. Compared to the States anyway, I would say the access to drugs is less than here. Lots of weed but harder drugs are not as prevalent.
I think the problems are exactly what you are saying and is the primary problem with kids anywhere - parents being involved. With this country's available activities, hiking, biking, beaches, zip lining, surfing, etc., etc., there is so much to keep kids entertained - IF the parents are involved.
Well said Surf Feaver. 
- Expat Dave
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