Has anyone played as a kid or teen onward?

Yes, I played an orphaned teen who opened her own daycare (and lived there in a tiny room.) It was pretty awesome and made for some interesting gameplay. Including me almost having a nervous breakdown when a fire started that she could not put out. :s

Initially, I used Get Together to make a kids club on the lot to simulate the daycare. Using mods, it's more real now because she can care for toddlers and also get paid for it. Good times.