My two cents:
I would advise just hens for two - three years. Roosters are easy to come by and easy to integrate into a flock, so there is no rush. An inexperience poultry person often times misses the signs that a rooster is getting aggressive, and roosters generally will attack children first or small adult women.
Another factor, is your set up, will your children and chickens share the same space? If your coop/run is a great distance away, it can often times be done with the right rooster, but if they are sharing a backyard, it can be more difficult. Roosters have ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of people. Few people like to be attacked, very few people like to be attacked at eye level.
If you get a rooster, I agree, don't worry so much about the egg color (that can be done later) but rather with your small children attitude and manners is of upmost importance.
People ALWAYS have extra roosters, and generally there is a local poultry club, ask your county extension agent for help finding one, or check the feed store. Disease is a real concern, but not impossible to get around.
You asked for advice, mine is wait for the rooster.
Mrs K
