I have three computers going with Virtual Families, so I am not new at this, but I have a big problem. One of my families (under 'Wants kids', he has 'No Way' and she has 'Not Really') have no children and they are in their mid-fifties! I am going to lose this family. No matter what I do (doctor, baby boost, clean house, fed, good energy, praising, rest, health, and having them try every 20 minutes) they will not have a baby. I read that I can save the family by pausing, backing up the files, pausing again, but I do not know how to back up the files. Please help. Also that same person said it was possible to have more than five families, and to quickly renew the store items How?

I found these posts by using the search function at the top right of the forums

This is a sticky post in the Virtual Families Guide forum that details how to backup a save game file.

This thread details how to get multiple families on a computer, but you should be aware that it is detailed and suggested by other players like yourself.

Finally, if your store does not restock within 4 hours, tap the R key while you are on the store screen and your store will restock.

Thanks so much! I will try all!

Just one more question to be sure. I backed up my files. My question is this. In a little bit, my family will no longer be able to have children. When they die, the game stops. How does the saved game help me with this family if I saved it when she was 53 and he 55? Won't I have the same problem?

In the sticky post, near the end of the post, it says "If you ever need to restore one or more of the games, just choose the appropriate savegame file(s) from your backup folder and copy them back into the Virtual Families folder (in My Documents\LDW or ~user/Library/Preferences/LDW)".

What that will do is replace your (passed) family with the paused version that you backed up a little while ago. Essentially, you are going back in time to try again, without messing up anything else!

It is possible that it may not help, with your family members being older. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done about that, however, the backup method can help you with another family if you start backing up your savegame files eariler!

As long as there is 1 person still alive you can hope for a "soft knock at the door". Those savegame files will be handy for that as well if you don't want to give up on this generation.

Note that the method Heather mentioned above for restocking the varied items in the store is for Windows and Mac computers. Anyone playing the game on a mobile device can accomplish the same thing by tapping on the "Family Store" title on the store screen.

Also, the backed up file from the procedures that were discussed above can be restored as often as necessary, so that even an older couple should eventually welcome a child into the family.