Re: Not getting Adopt as Caregiver Option (PS4)

@simsplayer818  Ah. Maybe their relationship isn't quite high enough. I think it's at about 2/3 right now. I'm pretty sure the Parenthood pack bypasses this and moves it to the Child Care social tab, but I don't have Parenthood on the PS4 version yet

@simsplayer818  I have Parenthood on PC through EA Origin, but not on PS4 (yet). The PC is a shared device used mainly by my partner, but the PS4 is all me. I'm the only console enthusiast between us. (My partner isn't accustomed to consoles and finds the controllers awkward to use, but I've been console gaming since Atari7800, so it's second nature to me.) I've maxed the relationship between my Sim and her step-daughter, but still no caregiver option. Maybe it's tied only to Parenthood, but I could swear I've used it on PS4 before. Then again, maybe somehow I just got mixed up with elements from my PC content.

@simsplayer818  The Successful Lineage Aspiration furthers my point about step-parents being delegitimized. One of the goals for that Aspiration is "Become a Parent" and it's not considered fulfilled. The goal "Socialize with Your Child 10 Times" doesn't count socializing with a step-child. So, yeah. You're married to their mother, you love them, take care of them, and nurture them, but too bad. You're not really their parent. You're just someone who hangs around. Doesn't mean anything. Kind of sickening to be honest. I seriously hope they put this right one day.

@simsplayer818 People have been teaching for decades about how there are many types of families, but Sims 4 has been around for 9 years and they still haven't let us properly adopt step-children, which is something that happens all the time in real life. Because of this, step-parents miss out on Family-class Aspiration rewards. Anyway, if Adopt as Caregiver is exclusive to Parenthood, you'll likely have it available, whereas (at least on PS4) I won't since I haven't yet gotten that pack on that system. Though, I wouldn't mind if you tested if the Caregiver status allows the step-parents to use the Successful Lineage and Big Happy Family Aspirations. If you do test that, please get back to me and let me know if it's a viable workaround (though adopting step-children shouldn't really require add-ons, imo).

@simsplayer818 The infant life stage is going to be patched into the base game 4 days before the pack drops, but I'm not sure what else. I know they're adding events like baby showers. I think that should be base game too, but who knows. The usual pack stuff, like the world, new CAS items, and new build/buy items like the buildable treehouse make sense as pack content. That's standard fare for new packs.

So I've tested this now and ended up with more questions than answers.

I added a single parent Sim (Sage) I've created before but this time I created her as part of the BFF household and linked her to Travis as his wife. I added her child aged son Linus from a previous relationship.

Travis immediately had the option to adopt Linus as Care Dependant, but their relationship was not listed as step parent and stepson anywhere. I didn't get Travis to adopt him because they were only with him temporarily for testing purposes.

Despite not being listed as his step father however, I added a family aspiration for Travis and he was still able to complete goals.

Also, on a separate note every single social interaction between Travis and Linus absolutely tanked. It didn't matter how friendly each was to the other, it was impossible for them to get along at all. Even Heartfelt Compliment was the most epic of fails!

It's lucky that I was divorcing them immediately anyway but Travis was in such a foul mood after that, he couldn't be civil to anyone so it was best Sage and Linus moved out quickly!

It does all sound a bit odd and overcomplicated. Thanks for looking into it. Hopefully the new expansion or a future patch simplifies and pays proper respect to step-families.