2nd attempt at Sims

I have been thinking about computer games and how children master them. They don't necessarily read through the instructions (although the Sims book I have did look worn), and they don't immediately look for cheats online. For the most part, children ask their friends if they've played it and how they accomplish certain tasks. I see my students and my children doing that all the time. Then the next step is they will play for each other. Win battles or tasks for one another, based on their own experience. I have two Pokemon addicts at home that swap DSs in order to get each other further.

In my defense, I thought it would be ok to persue the same path children do to further my skills in gaming.

OK, I grabbed my daughter and asked her for help. She was a bit rusty and couldn't some stuff but she did help.
I asked her about furniture. She told me what I needed. She told me to start with the kitchen. Ihad a difficult time moving the items around, I needed help with that. she told me to get the basics (fridge, sink, stovetop and counter). I got a table, she said that sims only eat two at a time, so i got a small table.
She told me they needed their comforts in the form of tv and beds. Basically, I filled the house with the essentials. apparently they can't change their clothes if you don't have a dresser.

That done, she tells me to just play the game. And what is that? I soon found it the Sims have two ways to play (free will on or off). Well, free will off is tough! They fall asleep wherever they are if you don't put them to bed. The father was walking around with green smoke (apparently that's because he needed a shower!!! How am I supposed to know that?) and the children are starving. Playing this game is difficult. You have to keep an eye on these little bubbles above their heads to see what they need. It is difficult to keep track of what they need and execute it with the commands that I know.

In retrospect, perhaps I should have started with one Sim. I assumed I was to start with an entire family! Start small!!!!

After I turned "free will" back on, I watched the father go to bed after the sun rose, the sun go to the bathroom and the daughter bring a snack to the living room.

My questions to my daughter: How do I get a job? (read the newspaper), Why can't the children do more than eat snack? (they are too young to make dinner), Why is the mother walking around in her underwear? (you need a dresser for more clothes)

My daughter had a question for me: When is your next class mommy because I think you are going to fail!!! Dr. Dana, I don't actually have to master this game to pass your class, right? (my daughter wants to know!