Problem: Article: If you're looking for a somewhat serious relationship, you need to factor in your partner's child. Dating someone with a child can be challenging and you need to be honest with yourself about whether or not you're ready for that kind of commitment. When someone is a parent, especially to young children, the kids come first. Dates and plans may change last minute due to the child's schedule. You may have to step aside more frequently than is ideal and settle for spending less time than you might like with your significant other. If some has a child from a previous relationship, their ex will probably always be a part of their life. Unless the other parent is out of the picture, your partner will always have some contact with his or her ex. Are you comfortable with the boundaries your partner has set with his or her ex? Do you think there's still underlying romantic tension? If things get serious, you will probably have to meet and socialize with your partner's ex. Take all this into consideration before getting serious with a single parent. Many people with children from previous relationships are guarded, at least initially, in romantic relationships. This is because everything counts more when you're a parent. If you're upset due to a romantic setback, it's difficult to function and this can affect your ability to parent. Things may move slower when you're dating a single parent, as proceeding with caution is more important to people with children. You should ask upfront what the boundaries are when it comes to your partner's child. Conversations like this can be difficult to initiate for a single parent. Your partner will appreciate you politely inquiring as to what the expectations are in regards to your relationship with his or her child. Boundaries can be simple, like how much time you should allow them to devote to their children. For example, your partner may make it clear he or she can never go out on weeknights or can only commit to dates every other weekend. Be respectful and understanding of such restrictions. There will also be restrictions about when you can meet the child. These may be less straightforward. Your partner may not have a definitive answer or timeframe. It's important not to push for introductions too soon but make it clear that, whenever your partner is ready, you would be happy to meet his or her child. When you're dating someone with a child, try not to see it a as burden or as extra baggage. Look for the positive side of the situation. If your partner has a child, he or she probably has a unique perspective on life that is new to you. This can be an exciting way to open your own mind and expose yourself to different ways of thinking. How your partner thinks about work, life, and responsibility in general will be affected by his or her child. Try to see this as an opportunity for you to grow and learn. While you might not to get to spend as much time as you like with your partner, the time you do spend together will be more valuable. You will be less likely to take your partner for granted and will figure out ways to make the most of the time you have. You might end up getting to know your partner through phone calls and e-mails more than face-to-face interaction, and this can heightened communication. Without the distractions of physical surroundings, you'll pay closer attention to one another's words. Many kid friendly activities can actually be enjoyable for adults as well. Trips to fairs, amusement parks, and kid friendly movies may be something you come to enjoy as your relationship progresses.
Summary: Ask yourself whether you can handle the commitment. Let your partner set boundaries. Have a positive outlook.

Problem: Article: Place an ice cube in the palm of your hand, the crook of your elbow, or where you want to cut. The numbing cold may provide you with the sensation you are craving. Take an ice pack with you and keep it in an insulated tote so that you can have access to something cold when you need it. Also, consider taking a cup of ice with you wherever you go. Keep it in your desk, car, locker, or any place to which you have easy access. Use a felt-tip pen to create pictures or lines on yourself where you usually cut. You may find that you like the way it feels against your skin. You may also discover that creating beautiful designs on yourself is far more satisfying than making painful cuts. Only use soft-tipped pens or markers to draw on yourself. Using pens that feature sharp points may end up hurting you. Use temporary tattoos if you don't trust yourself to use a pen on your skin. Those who cut are often looking for a way to feel something, even if it is painful. Snapping your skin with a rubber band is a safer way than cutting to feel a strong sensation. Place the rubber band around your wrist, hold it up, and let if fall back sharply. Never snap your wrists until they bleed. Only engage in this act if you trust yourself to not go too far. Ask someone you trust to help you monitor this behavior to ensure that you are not injuring yourself with this technique. Paying attention to the area you typically cut may be all that you need when you feel the desire to self-harm. Wrap these areas in bandages or adhesive tape. Seeing them will serve as a reminder of what is to come if you give into your urge. Draw motivational words or phrases on the bandages to stop yourself from wanting to cut. You could also color them with a red pen or marker to look like blood, which may stop you from wanting to hurt yourself. The saying "beauty hurts" is popular because it is often true: some beauty techniques are downright painful. Engage in them to satisfy the pain you crave, without doing real harm. Use a pair of tweezers to remove any stray hairs from your brow area. You can also buy wax strips to remove unwanted growth on your legs. The sensation you feel from the wax strips can mimic the sting of cutting. This is similar to the effect you get from exercising because of your muscles getting sore.
Summary: Hold an ice cube. Draw on yourself. Snap your skin with a rubber band. Place bandages over where you want to cut. Pluck your eyebrows or wax your legs.

Problem: Article: Nearly all modern computers have the sound card built-in to the motherboard. You can double-check that you have a sound card built-in by looking for speaker jacks on the back of the computer. Sound cards are really only necessary for audiophiles and recording studio computers, or for very old computers that don't have built-in sound. This will allow you to move your computer to a place that allows you to easily access it. Place the computer on its side on a table, with the ports on the back closest to the table. The ports are connected to the motherboard, so having them closest to the table will ensure that you can get to the motherboard when the case is open. Avoid laying the computer on carpet. Most newer cases have thumbscrews, but you may need a Phillips-head screwdriver. The screws run down the back of the computer. Remove the panel on the opposite side of the motherboard and set it aside. You should always ground yourself when working inside your computer. You can use an electrostatic wrist strap or touch a metal water tap to discharge any electrostatic buildup. If you don't ground yourself, you run the risk of damaging your components with electrostatic discharge. Since your computer is open, you should take this opportunity to clean out the dust that has built up inside the case. Too much dust can lead to overheating, which can lead to your components failing. Use compressed air to remove as much dust and debris as possible. Make sure to get in all of the nooks and crannies.
Summary:
Ensure that you need a sound card. Power down your computer and remove all the cables. Remove the side panel on your computer. Ground yourself. Clean out any dust.