I avoided using third party content of any kind in my Sims 3 game until after Sims 4 was released. I eventually added a few NRAAS mods such as Debug Enabler, Overwatch, Error Trap and Master Controller.
Prior to adding the mods I had long stopped attempting to play any kind of family game due to bugs in the vanilla Sims 3 game. Having Master Controller in my mods folder has meant I can now play families again and I play them all the time now. I haven't seen any issues with my family trees breaking and I've been able to add new sims to the existing families when I have felt the occasional need to do so.