INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Don't try to compete with the biological father. Often, the child is deeply wounded by circumstances involving their biological mother and father and the breakdown of their primary, original family unit. For many, building a new relationship is threatening to them. Time is the best healer but so is keeping actively positive and supporting yourself whenever you're around the child.

SUMMARY: Beware that the children may also have their biological father as a father figure. Be patient when waiting for your new stepchild to respond to your caring, affection, and love.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: When you major in acting, drama, or theater at college or university, you'll get a performance-based education that teaches you about the history, techniques, and theories of different acting types. Post-secondary education in acting can help you get a job because it: Gives you hours of rehearsal and performance time Teaches you how to make characters your own Teaches you how to research to make roles authentic Shows your dedication and patience Can help you find connections in the business Can make you a better actor It's not always possible to jump into the entertainment industry and get a job as an actor right away. Many of the famous actors out there today got their start by working in the industry and on-set doing things other than acting. Apply for jobs doing stunts, on the crew, or as a prop person. Look for full-time jobs, internships, mentorship programs, and apprenticeships in the entertainment industry. You can also look for administrative and assistant positions at production companies. Sometimes your connections in the industry can be just as important as any talent that you have, so the more people you know, the easier it will be to get an acting job. Ways to meet people include: Through work At parties and social events At auditions, on sets, and in acting classes Through social media The two main film centers in North America are Los Angeles and New York, and thousands of films are shot in these cities every year. Thanks to the number of films being produced in these cities, you'll have a much better chance of getting an acting job here than in a small town where films are never made. Other cities in the U.S. where lots of movies are filmed include New Orleans, Albuquerque, Pittsburgh, Austin, Atlanta, and Boston. Canadian cities that are popular filming and production locations include Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. A few international movie cities are Paris, Prague, Madrid, London, Barcelona, and Sydney. India and Nigeria are also huge producers of movies, and plenty of films are shot on location in Morocco. Because acting is such a physical and appearance-based profession, it's important for actors to have headshots available when they're trying to get a casting call or make new connections. Headshots are eight-by-10-inch photographs of the head and bust. You should spend the money to have them done by a professional photographer, and you should be well-dressed, kempt, and look professional when you have them done. Once you have your headshots, always staple one to your resume and give it to the casting director any time you audition for a part.

SUMMARY: Enroll in a bachelor of fine arts program for acting. Find a non-acting job in the industry. Make friends in the business. Consider moving to a major production center. Get headshots.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Anxiety may cause people to neglect their physical or emotional health, and you can help by suggesting that she do something if you notice she has forgotten. Self-soothing activities may be especially important if she has frequent anxiety. For example, ask her if she would like to get something to eat or suggest that she take a warm, long bath. When dealing with children, engage in relaxing activities together. Let them pick what they want to do. Not everyone with anxiety will have an anxiety disorder but that doesn't mean it doesn't need to be dealt with. Set aside 30 minutes out of the day, where your loved one can just have a good worry. During this time, don't let him be distracted by anything other than worrying and feeling anxious. Encourage him to think of solutions to his problems. This technique is effective with children as well as adults and helps them gain a sense of control over their problems. Your loved one may tell you why she feels upset, or you may have been able to tell based on what set off the anxiety. Try saying how upset she looks, and recognize that this is hard. This lets her know that you care, and that you think her struggles are valid. Ironically, affirming her stress can reduce it. "That sounds really hard." "I can see why that would be upsetting to you. It sounds like visiting your father can be difficult for you sometimes." "You look stressed. Your face is scrunched up and you look hunched over. Do you want to talk about it?" Hugs can bring comfort to an anxious person. You may try to pat his back, give him a one-armed hug or put your arm around his shoulder to make him comfortable. Only do what you and he are comfortable with. Always give him opportunities to decline. If he is dealing with sensory overload or are autistic, touch may make things worse. Or he may not be in the mood. This can be an enormous relief to the anxious person. Be accommodating, and don't question her bad days or unusual needs. Treat her anxiety like a fact that, while unfortunate, is not a dreadful burden upon your life. Recognize that her feelings matter, and treat her with compassion, anxiety and all. Be flexible. It may take longer for people with anxiety problems to get ready for events such as getting ready for school. Factor in this time and allow for delays. If your loved one isn't being treated already, seeing a doctor about his anxiety may allow him to get the help he needs. It's important to rule out any underlying medical or biological causes of the anxiety. Once you know that the cause of your loved one's anxiety is psychological, you will be in a better position to seek treatment. To give him a boost, you might suggest accompanying him to take notes, help him remember symptoms, or just for moral support. Asking others for help can be very encouraging for a person with anxiety problems. In fact, persons with strong informal support networks have increase their chances of benefitting from treatment for anxiety. You don't have to do anything specific. Just knowing that there are people around with whom to talk to and share her worries with, can help a person with anxiety problems feel better.

SUMMARY:
Encourage your loved one to practice self-care. Allocate time for worrying. Validate her feelings. Offer human touch. Accept that her needs are different. Encourage him to seek professional help. Form a support network.