Autonomy on. It helps me manage my full households. Occasionally, I will pause the game to set up actions for certain Sims, to make certain the kids do their homework, etc. And to be certain that those who attend the farm animals do so. My grown daughter was correct when she told me the Pause button was my friend. And it is. But, she also played with autonomy off. Then I learned that was why I never had the joy of seeing a bored Sim swing on the refrigerator door, or some of the other silliness that was part and parcel of Sims2. I learned to play with autonomy ON. :)