Only when your playing the game is when story progression works. Nothing works when the game is off. EA story progression is kind of off and on. The best way to have kids, is when they turn young adult, have them get married and her get pregnant and then move them out, preferably into a house, if your household can afford it. After they move, their lives go on while you are playing the original household. While your in active household, you basically have to guide them for whatever you want them to do.