Sims 3 Life Stages Strategy: Teen

Sims 3 Teens Enjoy FishingThe teen years can be frustrating, because you have the ability to do almost everything that adults can, but you can't stay out past 11PM, drop out of school, or move into a home of your own.  Kind of uncanny how true-to-life this game can be at times!

A teen's curfew is raised from 10PM to 11PM, but the cops are out in force.  I guess there isn't a lot of crime happening in Riverside, because I've never had a teen stay out later than 11:07PM without being caught by the cops.  Too bad, because teens love staying out past curfew - and they get really bummed when the cops take them home.  It's embarrassing for one thing!  And a parent always comes out to lecture you.  LAME.

On the up side, the teen years are a great time to build your skills.  You have access to all the skills and hobbies of an adult, which makes teens great for grinding skills.  If you have long-term plans for your Sim, this is the time to start them down that path.  Teens can read skill books, and also enjoy playing chess, tending the garden, fishing, and other skill building activities.

Teens can meet and befriend strangers, but they can only enter into romantic relationships with other teens.  And by "romantic relationship," I mean basically kissing.  EA didn't want to risk upsetting anyone, so they gave teens a dramatically reduced palette of romantic possibilities.

Of course, once your teen grows up, they won't be able to be romantic with another teen.  This means that chances are good your romantic interest will be left behind when you grow up.  You can try inviting the former boyfriend over and trying to get him to blow out the birthday cake, but this is strictly a last resort.

If you're running a legacy, the teen years can be frustrating.  It's all that extra time spent in a life stage that can't get pregnant!  When you're running a legacy, you want to make with the babies ASAP!  The clever modding community came up with a "teen pregnancy" mod for The Sims 2, but I haven't heard whether they have one for Sims 3 or not.  

Teens can get a part-time job at a local business.  Most teens have a wish to "get a part-time job" soon after their birthday.  Part-time jobs for teens are a nice addition to the game, but I find it way too hard to juggle a teen's job with school and homework, much less having fun to de-stress!  

If your family needs to earn some extra cash, then you may have no choice but to send your teen Sim out to get a job.  But if things aren't quite that dire, try having them fish, garden, collect gems, or paint to earn money.  Any of these activities has the potential to earn as much as a part-time job, and they're not as stressful or schedule-intensive.  

Don't forget to keep your teen's grades up!  Luckily you have the option to have them do homework at school.  If their grades fall too far, the Social Worker will come take them, and no one wants that to happen!