From Farmhand to Parent: A Complete Guide to Having Children in Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley offers a rich and immersive farming experience, complete with relationships, marriage, and even the possibility of starting a family. For many players, having children is a natural progression in their Stardew Valley journey, adding a new layer of depth and responsibility to their virtual lives. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, from finding the perfect spouse to raising your little ones on the farm.
## Prerequisites: Setting the Stage for Parenthood
Before you can even think about having children, you need to meet certain milestones in your Stardew Valley life. These prerequisites ensure that you’re in a stable and loving relationship, and that your home is ready to welcome a new addition.
* **Marriage:** The first and most obvious requirement is getting married. You’ll need to woo a villager of your choice, build a strong relationship, and finally propose with a Mermaid’s Pendant. We’ll delve deeper into the marriage process later.
* **Maximum Hearts:** Achieving maximum hearts (10 hearts before marriage, and potentially 14 hearts after marriage depending on the spouse and whether or not you’ve given them a Bouquet) with your chosen spouse is crucial. This signifies a strong, loving relationship, which is essential for initiating the baby-making process. Gifting, talking, and completing their requested quests are the keys to unlocking their heart.
* **House Upgrade:** A crucial step, often overlooked, is upgrading your farmhouse at least once. The initial farmhouse, while charming, simply doesn’t have the space for a growing family. You’ll need to visit Robin at the Carpenter’s Shop and request the first house upgrade. This upgrade adds a nursery to your home, providing a dedicated space for your future child.
## Choosing Your Partner: The Marriage Process
The marriage process in Stardew Valley involves several steps. First, you’ll need to build a strong relationship with a villager. Each bachelor and bachelorette in Stardew Valley has unique likes and dislikes, which affect how they respond to your gifts. Experiment and consult online resources like the Stardew Valley Wiki to discover their favorite items. Giving gifts on their birthday yields an even greater boost in friendship.
Once you reach eight hearts with a villager, you can give them a bouquet, which signifies your romantic interest. After reaching ten hearts, the next step is proposing marriage. However, you can’t buy a regular ring. Instead, you’ll need to acquire a **Mermaid’s Pendant**. The Mermaid’s Pendant can be purchased from the Old Mariner on the beach for 5,000g. He only appears on rainy days, and only after you’ve upgraded your farmhouse at least once (meaning you have a kitchen). Giving the Mermaid’s Pendant to your chosen villager will trigger the marriage proposal.
After the proposal, the wedding ceremony will take place three days later. Your spouse will move into your farmhouse and begin contributing to the farm.
## The Decision: Having a Baby or Adopting
Once married, there are two ways to have children in Stardew Valley:
* **Having a Baby (Biological):** If you and your spouse are of opposite genders, there’s a chance your spouse will ask you if you want to have a baby. This will happen randomly, assuming you’ve met the prerequisites (maximum hearts, upgraded farmhouse).
* **Adopting a Child:** If you and your spouse are of the same gender, you will have the option to adopt a child. This process is initiated by your spouse in a similar manner to having a biological child.
Regardless of the method, the outcome is the same: a new member of your family!
## The Waiting Game: Pregnancy and Birth/Adoption
Whether you’re having a biological child or adopting, there’s a period of waiting involved.
* **Pregnancy:** If you choose to have a baby biologically, your spouse will tell you they are pregnant. Pregnancy lasts for 14 in-game days. During this time, your spouse may experience morning sickness (indicated by a green, sickly emoji above their head). This doesn’t require any special action from you; just continue to support them as usual.
* **Adoption:** The adoption process also takes 14 in-game days. Your spouse will inform you that they’ve started the adoption process, and after two weeks, your child will arrive.
## Welcoming Your Child: Naming and Initial Care
After 14 days, you’ll receive a cutscene where you welcome your new child into the world. You’ll be prompted to name your baby. Choose wisely, as this name is permanent! Your child will be a baby, confined to their crib in the nursery. They will need no direct care from you.
## Child Development: From Baby to Toddler
Babies in Stardew Valley go through two stages: baby and toddler.
* **Baby:** For the first stage, which lasts about 14 in-game days, your baby will remain in their crib. You can interact with them by approaching the crib and interacting with them. This will increase your relationship with the child. However, babies require no direct care like feeding or changing diapers. Your spouse will take care of all their basic needs.
* **Toddler:** After approximately 14 days, your baby will grow into a toddler. They will now be able to walk around the house. Your spouse will tell you that they can now walk. Toddlers can interact with toys around the house. You can also interact with them to build your relationship. Again, your spouse will handle all their basic needs.
## Raising Your Child: Interaction and Milestones
While your spouse takes care of the practical aspects of raising your child, you still play a vital role in their development. Interacting with your child daily is crucial for building your relationship with them. Here’s how you can interact with your child:
* **Talking:** Simply approach your child and interact with them. This will trigger a short dialogue and increase your friendship with them. Do this daily! This is very easy to do and will passively build friendship.
* **Gift Giving (Later):** Once your child reaches a certain age (described below), you can give them gifts. Children, like other villagers, have preferences. Experiment to discover their favorite gifts. This is the fastest way to raise friendship, but it requires some investment to figure out their favorite gifts.
## Child Growth: From Toddler to…Well, Still a Child
Children in Stardew Valley do grow beyond the toddler stage, but their growth is limited. After the toddler stage, they will grow up into children who roam about the house and the immediate farm area. They will interact with toys outside the house, and can even interact with the farm animals. After this stage, children will not grow any further.
This can be a disappointment to some players who hoped to raise their children into adults who could help on the farm. Unfortunately, children in Stardew Valley remain children forever.
## Having More Children: Expanding Your Family
If you’re enjoying parenthood and want to expand your family, you can have another child. The process is the same as the first time: ensure you have maximum hearts with your spouse and that you have the required house upgrade. This time, you need to upgrade your house *again*, adding another room to your house. Your spouse will then eventually ask if you want another child. You can have a maximum of two children in Stardew Valley.
## Divorce and Child Custody: A Sad Possibility
While Stardew Valley is generally a happy and wholesome game, divorce is a possibility. If you become unhappy in your marriage, you can divorce your spouse by visiting the Mayor’s Manor and paying a fee of 50,000g. After the divorce, your former spouse will move out of your farmhouse and their heart level will reset to zero. They will act coldly towards you if you encounter them in town.
If you have children, the game will ask you what you want to do with them. You have two options:
1. **Keep the Children:** You retain custody of your children, and your former spouse will no longer have any interaction with them.
2. **Allow the Spouse to Keep the Children:** Your children will leave with your former spouse and will no longer appear in the game.
Choosing to keep the children after a divorce can have a negative impact on your game experience. Your former spouse will resent you, and the atmosphere in your farmhouse may feel strained. However, it’s a personal choice, and some players prefer to keep their children regardless.
Furthermore, for an additional fee (Iridium Shard at a shrine in the Witch’s Hut), you can transform your children into doves, removing them from the game entirely. This is a very dark choice and is generally not recommended, but it is an option in the game.
## Tips and Tricks for Raising a Happy Family
* **Prioritize Your Spouse:** While having children is a rewarding experience, don’t neglect your relationship with your spouse. Continue to give them gifts, talk to them daily, and participate in activities together. A happy marriage is the foundation of a happy family.
* **Talk to Your Children Daily:** Even though children don’t require direct care, interacting with them daily is crucial for building your relationship. It only takes a few seconds and significantly improves your bond.
* **Discover Your Children’s Preferences:** Once your children are old enough to receive gifts, experiment to discover their favorite items. This will greatly accelerate your friendship with them.
* **Don’t Rush:** There’s no need to rush into having children. Enjoy the process of building your farm, establishing your relationships, and exploring the world of Stardew Valley. Having children is a significant commitment, so make sure you’re ready for it.
* **Consider the Implications of Divorce:** Divorce can have a negative impact on your game experience, particularly if you have children. Think carefully before making the decision to divorce your spouse.
## The Role-Playing Aspect: Creating a Family Story
Beyond the mechanics of the game, having children in Stardew Valley offers a rich opportunity for role-playing and creating your own family story. Consider your character’s background, personality, and aspirations, and how they might influence their parenting style. What kind of values do you want to instill in your children? What kind of future do you envision for them? By embracing the role-playing aspect, you can create a truly unique and meaningful family experience in Stardew Valley.
## Conclusion: Embracing Parenthood in Stardew Valley
Having children in Stardew Valley is a rewarding and fulfilling experience that adds a new layer of depth and complexity to the game. From the initial stages of courtship and marriage to the joys and challenges of raising children, parenthood offers a unique perspective on the Stardew Valley world. By following this comprehensive guide and embracing the role-playing aspect, you can create a truly memorable and meaningful family experience on your farm.