I regard Parenthood as an essential. I don't want to echo what everyone else has said. I think the only thing that hasn't been mentioned are the mood swings for teens.
I've had a couple of toddlers get the "Loves books" quirk after playing in the bookcase. But although the action seemed to come first, it could be they decided to do that because of the quirk.
My first 6 babies have moved out, and my parenting Sim currently has 1 child, 2 toddlers, and 2 infants. I'm following the 6 who moved out, too, because I enjoy playing YA Sims who are starting out.
I don't know if anyone has already mentioned this, but the lullaby feature on the crib is a blessing, especially if you have an infant with the snuggly sleeper quirk (I had 3 at once in my 100 babies game). Also, running the vaccuum in a room with a sleeping infant will wake them up.
I am currently treating my Sim very badly. She's the foster mother in my 100 Babies Challenge. She invites pregnant townies into her home, lets them have their babies, and then moves out the townies. And she lives on a lot with the ley line trait. She has 1 toddler, 2 infants, and 2 nooboos, and 1 teen who is due to move…
I hope that by the end of 2024 my Sim and her successors will have raised 100 babies and settled them somewhere, but I might not get that far. She's moved out only 4 with 5 at home.
Here's one positive: my Sim just spent a couple of hours in the Screaming Gecko Lounge without meeting a single Sim from Oasis Springs, Willow Creek, or Sulani. The 6 or 7 Sims she talked to were all from Tomarang.
I've set up a new save for my 100 babies (only 4 so far that have grown up and moved out) to move into. The first 2 are going into Tomarang. The other 2 have the shipping container lot in Evergreen Harbor, which will pick up a few more containers that can be rented out. And I've placed my usual restaurants, spa, and…
The Sims have always been slightly ahead of the real world. We had same gender marriage in the Sims before it became legal most places. The printed, delivered newspaper was missing from TS4 when it came out, and over the years, newspaper delivery has declined. I'm an elder so I still have a landline, but all of the younger…
I was going to wait on this one, but then I saw hopscotch and marbles. So I'm sold. I'm not much of a builder, but it does seem to me that San Sequoia and Del Sol Valley would be perfect places for townhomes. Johnny Zest might finally find himself in a trailer park. And I might bulldoze those stores in Magnolia Promenade…
I'm pretty sure my teens will all get positive character traits, too. Responsible and good manners are almost automatic, but a third one isn't too difficult. I'm playing on long, with age-up possible for toddlers who have all skills, children who have completed 3 aspirations, and teens with the character traits. That gives…
@Pandora, I'm amazed you've made it that far! @simgirl1010 , I'm not trying to make them super accomplished, but they do have to max all toddler skills before they're aged up, and the teens have to have 3 character traits to become young adults.
I chose Young Adult, but really, I wish there was an "all of the above" option. EA has done a great job with toddlers and now infants, and HSY made teens much more enjoyable. I used to age teens up as soon as they got an A, but now they're great. Children are probably the weakest, but the treehouse and bicycle do give them…
I was originally thinking that I really don't need more recipes, but the filter we're getting for the base game might make that a little easier to deal with. The kitchen appliances look good, but then, so did the ice cream maker from Cool Kitchen. The over-the-sink dish drainer, however, is a must-have. And I like the new…
Pre-ordered. The wait for toddlers was rough, but when they arrived they were wonderful. And now with infants in Growing Together, and horses, I'm totally satisfied. Who needs cars?
On becoming a YA, my Sims get 2 likes and 2 dislikes for Sim characteristics and communication topics. I don't know whether it makes much difference in finding a spouse though. So far no one has married someone they have amazing compatibility with, but good compatibility is fairly common.
Your toddler learns numbers from the flash cards. To get a parent or older Sim to show flash cards, you need to click on the toddler, and then on "more options." Flash cards are under "Activities," which don't always show up right away.
EP: Growing Together GP: Spa Day SP: Movie Night Kit: Throwback Fitness Spa Day for the yoga, and Movie Night because I'm always curious to see what movie my Sims will pick on their own.
Maybe I missed seeing it, but I've looked several times, and there doesn't seem to be a cowboy shirt for children. They do get a hat and boots, however.