Parenting Guide

Overview

Parenting is one of the most detailed and rewarding gameplay systems in inZOI. From the moment a Zoi becomes pregnant or adopts a child, a new layer of responsibility opens up, including feeding, diaper changes, skill development, school attendance, and emotional bonding. This guide covers every stage of the parenting journey from conception through the teenage years.

Having a Baby

There are three ways to add a baby to a household in inZOI. The Family article covers the broader family structure, while this section focuses on the practical steps.

Method 1: Try for Baby

The most common method. Two Zois in a romantic relationship (married or unmarried) can use the "Try for Baby" interaction on a double bed. Both Zois must be in the Young Adult, Adult, or Middle-Aged life stage.

• The "Try for Baby" option appears in the bed interaction menu when two compatible Zois are present

• Success is not guaranteed on the first attempt. Multiple tries may be needed.

• Once successful, the pregnant Zoi will receive a notification and enter the first trimester

• Same-sex couples cannot use Try for Baby; they must use adoption or medical assistance

Method 2: Adoption

Any household with at least one Adult or Young Adult Zoi can adopt a child. Adoption is initiated through the smartphone.

• Open the smartphone and navigate to the services menu

• Select the adoption option

• Choose the age of the child you want to adopt (Baby, Toddler, or Child)

• The adopted child arrives at your home within one in-game day

• Adoption costs Meow (the amount varies by the child's age)

• Single Zois can adopt; marriage is not required

Method 3: Medical Assistance

Zois who have difficulty conceiving naturally can use medical assistance through the computer. This option was added to give players an alternative path to parenthood.

• Visit the hospital and select the fertility assistance option

• Medical assistance costs more Meow than natural conception

• Available to any couple regardless of relationship status (married, dating, etc.)

• The process takes one to two in-game days before pregnancy begins

Pregnancy

Pregnancy in inZOI lasts three in-game trimesters, each spanning approximately one in-game day. The total pregnancy duration is about three days of game time.

Pregnant Zois can continue working and performing normal activities throughout pregnancy, though their needs drain faster. When labor begins, the Zoi can give birth at home or travel to the hospital.

Giving Birth

• Home birth: The Zoi gives birth at home. Another household member should be present to help. The bassinet is automatically placed in the home.

• Hospital birth: Travel to the hospital for a supervised delivery. This option provides a small positive moodlet.

• After birth, the baby appears in a bassinet in the household

• Twins are possible but rare. There is no reliable way to guarantee twins in the current version.

Newborn Stage (Baby)

Newborns are the most dependent life stage. They cannot move on their own and require constant attention from household members.

Newborns require nearly around-the-clock care. In a single-parent household, the parent will struggle to maintain their own needs while caring for the baby. A two-parent household or having other adult household members significantly eases the burden.

Newborn Tips

• Keep multiple prepared bottles in the fridge to save time during feedings

• Change diapers immediately when prompted to prevent the baby from becoming distressed

• If a parent needs sleep, have another household member take over baby care

• The baby will age up to Toddler after approximately 1 in-game day on the default aging speed

Toddler Stage

Toddlers are mobile but still highly dependent on caregivers. This is the stage where early skill development begins. See the Life Stages article for age duration details.

Toddler Skill Development

Toddlers can begin developing four foundational skills that carry forward into the Child stage. Early investment in these skills gives the child an aptitude bonus later.

Each skill has three levels (1, 2, 3) during the toddler stage. Reaching level 3 in a skill before aging up grants an aptitude bonus that makes the corresponding child skill develop faster.

Child Stage

Children are significantly more independent than toddlers. They attend school on weekdays, can feed themselves, use the bathroom independently, and develop more advanced skills. However, they still need parental supervision and cannot be left home alone for extended periods.

Child Skills and Aptitude

Children develop four skills that replace the toddler foundational skills. Each child skill has a corresponding toddler skill that provides an aptitude boost if it was developed to level 3.

The aptitude system means that toddler skill development directly impacts child skill growth. A child who had level 3 Language Development as a toddler will develop Mental Skills approximately 25% faster than a child without the aptitude bonus. Planning skill development during the toddler stage pays off significantly during the child years.

School and Homework

Children attend school on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. See the Homework and School Life article for detailed homework mechanics.

• Children are automatically enrolled in school when they age up from Toddler

• A school bus arrives at the household each weekday morning

• Missing school has consequences similar to missing work: multiple absences can trigger a visit from the Child Protection Agency

• Children receive homework assignments that must be completed at home after school

Homework

Homework is a daily task that children bring home from school. It appears in the child's task queue and can be completed at any desk or table.

• Homework takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes of in-game time to complete

• Parents can help with homework by selecting the "Help with Homework" interaction, which speeds up completion

• Completing homework consistently improves school performance and builds the Mental Skills stat

• Ignoring homework repeatedly leads to declining school grades

• Children in a good mood complete homework faster than children who are stressed or unhappy

Teen Stage

Teenagers are the most independent child life stage. They can stay home alone, cook basic meals, and manage most of their own needs. Teens attend high school and begin developing adult skills.

• Teens attend high school on weekdays, similar to children attending school

• They can develop all adult skills, though at a slightly slower rate than Young Adults

• Teens can get part-time jobs for limited income

• Romantic interactions become available between teens (teen-to-teen only)

• Teens experience mood swings and stronger emotional reactions

• Parental guidance still matters: teens who have good relationships with parents develop fewer negative moodlets

Babysitting

When all adult household members need to leave the home (for work, errands, or social activities), children and toddlers need supervision. The babysitting system handles this.

• A babysitter can be hired through the smartphone services menu

• The babysitter arrives at the house and cares for children until an adult returns

• Babysitting costs Meow per hour

• Alternatively, an older teen or young adult household member can supervise younger children without hiring a babysitter

• Leaving young children unattended for too long without a babysitter triggers a Child Protection Agency visit

Child Protection Agency

The Child Protection Agency (CPA) monitors the welfare of children and toddlers in every household. If a child's needs are severely neglected, the CPA intervenes.

• Warning: The first CPA event is usually a warning notification, giving the player a chance to correct the situation

• Visit: If neglect continues, a CPA agent visits the household to investigate

• Removal: In extreme cases, the CPA can remove children from the household permanently. This is essentially a game-over scenario for the parenting aspect of that household.

Triggers for CPA intervention include:

• Children with critically low hunger, hygiene, or social needs for extended periods

• Leaving toddlers or children home alone without adult supervision or a babysitter

• Repeated school absences

• Dangerous household conditions (though this is less clearly defined in the current version)

Aging Duration

The duration of each life stage depends on the aging speed setting. The following table shows the default (Normal) aging speed.

Players can adjust aging speed in the game settings. Setting aging to "Long" roughly doubles these durations, while "Short" halves them. Aging can also be disabled entirely.

General Parenting Tips

• Start developing toddler skills immediately after aging up from baby. The aptitude bonuses carry into the child stage and make a noticeable difference.

• Keep at least two adults in a household with a baby. Single parents are overwhelmed quickly by the constant feeding and diaper change demands.

• Help children with homework every day. The "Help with Homework" interaction speeds up completion and builds the parent-child relationship.

• Hire a babysitter before both parents leave for work. The CPA will intervene if young children are left alone.

• Children who are in a good mood learn skills faster. Prioritize keeping the Fun and Social needs high before skill training sessions.

• Plan your Zoi's career around parenting. A career with a 3-day work week (like Lawyer or Football Player) gives parents four days at home with the children.

• Toddler potty training is worth the effort. Fully trained toddlers have far fewer accidents and free up caregiver time.

• The Cognitive Development toddler skill is the most impactful, as the Social Skills it feeds into affects school performance and friendship building throughout childhood.

• Read to children before bed. This builds the parent-child relationship, satisfies the child's Social and Fun needs, and develops Mental Skills simultaneously.

• Do not neglect the parent Zoi's own needs. A parent with low energy or a bad mood will perform poorly at work and have less patience with the children.