I'm sick and tired........ Should I just give up?

I've had my Family-Oriented Sims sometimes managing to simply ignore the infant sitting in a very bad diaper, or so hungry/tired, she can't do more than fuss.  When I can't get them to respond properly, I find myself saving and exiting the game. Usually, the next time I power up, my Sims respond like the good parents they generally are. Rather than scrap your family, unless you really wish to, try taking a well-meaning break in playing.