I have no set pattern. Sometimes I make families. Sometimes single Sims that I work into a relationship and then married. Sometimes out of wedlock kids (OH MY!!) Most times though, I do the adoption thing. If I have a family I start from acquaintances I will usually adopt pretty quickly after marriage, same with a Sim I decide I'm gonna use as a single parent. I think it just depends on my mood. I did make a family once in CAS and it was a single dad, twin children, and a toddler. It was a hot mess and I loved it!