Rotational Play and University

Rotational play is becoming more difficult with each new pack we add. At least it seems that way for me. Not too long ago I had a couple saves with 20 households. Now I have downsized those saves to include only three households I rotate through. With pets and toddlers in these households, it seems I am always returning to my lots and finding pets sick and starving and toddler needs totally in the red. The one thing that doesn't change seems to be my Sims' gardens. The plants are always the same as when I left the lot. I have played without mods and CC so I know this isn't because of anything I added to the game. But if DU adds to the difficulty factor of being a rotational player, I doubt I will ever buy it. With MCCC I have turned down the motive decay for pets and toddlers, but it is still a less than perfect solution. But I have to wonder why garden plants remain unchanged while I am away from certain lots, other Sims' needs are never in the red when I return, yet the pets' and toddlers' needs seem to be taking such a drastic hit whenever I am doing a rotation. Because of this, if I do decide to buy DU, none of my YA Sims will ever live in a dorm. They will live at home and commute to and from university. Which kind of takes away from the idea of experiencing the whole campus lifestyle. My uni students can still take part in some of the activities offered, but not on the same level as someone living in a dorm.