TDLR: my go-to is to start with a single Sim or a young couple. Then build their careers, let them get semi-comfortable, then start raising a family. Dad is usually in an "alpha male" career, like military or law enforcement or business, while mom tends to be a gardener, painter, writer. I usually pick out a child that is the best-looking, lol, to focus on and carry out their family's story from there. Below is the background of the Vogel family.
At the young age of 18, Erik Vogel moved from his European homeland to try and make it big as an actor in the infamous Del Sol Valley. He managed to break into the career almost immediately, lending his good fortune to his good looks, but he soon realized that actual talent was needed. He stuck with the job for a few years before he decided he needed to change things up.
He applied to any scholarship he could get and decided to go to University to earn a degree in Drama. He played for the University's soccer team (and was shockingly quite good at it) and placed all newfound relationships, platonic and otherwise, on the back burner to focus on his studies. However, a midnight fling with a former co-worker resulted in a baby girl; one that Erik had no interest in raising.
The lesson of safe “woo-hooing” was lost on the young man, however, when two other flings with different women resulted in two more baby girls. It wasn't until the girls were toddling around that Erik finally decided to meet his offspring. When the youngest of the three began ruining his home, though, Erik gave the children back to their respective mothers and decided to cut off contact.
One night, while drunkenly celebrating his hard-earned Distinguished Degree in San Myshuno, Erik found himself pounding on a former friend's apartment door. He was surprised to not find his friend letting him in, however, but a young woman. The beautiful Bailey Hilliard, against her better judgment, let the older man into her home and tried to tend to him as he drunkenly rambled on. It wasn't until he began to sober around 3 AM did he finally realize he should leave. She gave him her number so that he could let her know he made it home safely. The next day, he asked her out to lunch as thanks.
Every day after that, they spent nearly every second together. They enjoyed gardening together and loved trying out new restaurants in different towns. Although he was middle-aged and Bailey was a young-adult, they managed to make their relationship work. It wasn't long before it led to Kade, their son, and Victor soon after. It was another few years, while Bailey flourished in her gardening career and Erik floundered in his acting one before they decided to try for one more. Nadine, their daughter was born one sunny afternoon and was shockingly followed by her twin brother, Nino.
Content with his family, but disgruntled with his lack of acclaim in his career, Erik quit his job and went all-in as a performer with a focus on comedy. He found that Sims enjoyed his odd, European sense of humor! Although he was officially an elder and his wife was barely into her thirties, Erik was finally happy and felt fulfilled. He tried not to think of his first three girls, all wondering why their biological father wanted nothing to do with them, but most days he had his hands full with the twins to dwell on the thought.
Then, one fateful day, just after a sweet Woohoo session with his wife, Erik passed away from old age. Bailey, distraught, struggled to figure out how she was going to raise four children alone and without her soul mate. It wasn't long after that day did Bailey realize she was pregnant with the result of their final Woohoo together.
Now: Kade, a strapping young high schooler with his eye on the military works hard to maintain good grades and keep his mother from falling apart. Vic, in elementary school, dreams of becoming as skilled in soccer as his father once was and possibly pursuing an athletic career. The twins, Nadine and Nino, toddle around and show interest in creative arts and thinking games. Unknown baby is set to show up any hour soon, and it's all Bailey can do to keep her wits about her.
