Teenagers are difficult to parent simply because they are approaching adulthood. They are exerting their own independence, and as a parent, you want to encourage this. However, there is a distinct difference between encouraging independence and resorting to bargaining just to make life easier. You are the parent, and with that title comes the responsibility of teaching your teenager and keeping them safe. These are not things that should be bargained away.
Avoiding bargaining with a teenager is not always that easy, however. It can be difficult for a parent to determine what rules should be negotiated and which ones should be set in stone. As the parent, you have to pick your battles and know that you’ve done so. You have to know which rules are not up for negotiation, and you have to convey this information to your children. Once you’ve clarified in your own mind what rules cannot and should not be negotiated, stick to it.
Teenagers will always try to bargain. It’s their way of starting to acquire their own power. But in the relationship between parent and child, you have the power and the benefit of wisdom and experience. Use this power to enforce your decisions. Your teenagers should have enough respect for you to understand that when you say “That’s the rule,” you mean it. Explain that certain rules are simply not on the bargaining table. Don’t argue about it. Arguing can lead to bargaining, which can lead to you changing your mind simply because you’re tired of arguing. Set the rules and walk away.
This doesn’t mean you should refuse to listen to your teenager. You should always have an open line of communication. If a certain rule really bothers your teen, set aside a certain time to discuss it. Listen to their opinion and express your own. Have a discussion, not an argument. Everyone feels better when listened to. While you might not change your mind, you’ll at least understand how your teenager feels, and your teen will know that you know. That alone might make your relationship a little easier.
Never bargain when it comes to the important things. There will be a time when your teenager must make his or her own decisions, when they are truly independent and ready to face the world. Until that time, it is your job as a parent to keep your child safe. This is best done by establishing the rules and enforcing them, but also by listening to your teenager.
My children love animals, so we have a lot of pets, including seven guinea pigs. Many unsuspecting and responsible people have brought home two guinea pigs and housed them together with the intention that they’d keep each other company. Before long, baby guinea pigs arrive, usually not long after you’ve been told that you purchased two animals of the same sex. It happens, mostly because the people at the pet store didn’t sex the animals properly, or didn’t sex them at all and are simply guessing.
To prevent this from happening, you should learn how to sex guinea pigs yourself. This is also an important skill to acquire if you wish to breed your guinea pigs to avoid getting home with two females or two males. But it's equally important just because your kids are going to want an answer when they ask, "Is it a boy or a girl?". If you can sex guinea pigs yourself, you can be assured of getting exactly what you ask for. You can also answer your children truthfully.
It is not easy to sex young guinea pigs. Their genitalia is not yet fully formed and so is difficult to locate. Mistakes are always possible, though regrettable. Most pet stores will tell you of the “y” and “i” method of sexing, but since guinea pigs should be sexed at 2 weeks old, this method isn’t infallible. There are other ways to tell, and once you know what you’re looking for, sexing a young guinea pig becomes quite easy.
Sexing Female Guinea Pigs
Many times, pet stores will assume that a guinea pig is male because it has bumpy genitalia. This is not the case. Female guinea pigs have bumpy genitalia, so roll your guinea pig on its back to look closely at the genitalia. Run your fingers over the area and look for a “y” formation. This usually indicates a female. To be sure, press on the “y” gently. It should open up just a little. If it doesn’t, you might be holding on to a male guinea pig.
Sexing Male Guinea Pigs
Male guinea pigs have genitalia that is almost shaped like an “i”. There will be a vertical line with a dot. That dot is the penis. There may also be a small bulge, though this often isn’t visible in a guinea pig as young as 2 weeks old. If you don’t notice the “i”, then turn the guinea pig over on its back. Press gently on the stomach just above the genitalia. This should cause the penis to protrude, if the guinea pig is indeed a male. No penis should indicate a female guinea pig.
It is important to know what gender your guinea pigs are. If you’re breeding them, you’ll want to sex the newborns quickly, as young males should be removed from their mother and sisters before 4 weeks of age to prevent inbreeding. If you don’t want to breed, but you do want to house two guinea pigs together, your ability to sex your own guinea pigs is even more important. If you’re ever in doubt, you should take your guinea pigs to a qualified small animal veterinarian. He or she should be able to determine the sex for you with very little effort.
Many teenagers become accomplished liars. They learn the art of deception early on, and parents are often the targets of their lies. Teenagers can be so convincing when telling a lie that even professionals cannot always discern the truth. This can be difficult and frustrating for parents, especially parents of difficult teens.
Luckily, there are teens who have not perfected this art. They give away their lies with subtle clues that you can pick up on if you’re observant. A teenager who is lying might speak rapidly and avoid eye contact. They may pretend disinterest as they address the subject, but belie this by paying unnatural attention to your responses. Many young teenagers will become nervous and even flush. Occasionally they will become so nervous they may actually cry to get you to believe them. Studies show that someone who is lying glances down and to the left as they try to create a story.
On the other hand, a teenager who is being truthful will often look you straight in the eye and will not be nervous or defensive. They will be relaxed and open, willing to answer questions, and not having to stop for long to come up with a convincing lie. Glancing up and to the right may also be a sign of the truth.
Lying is a matter of course for many teens. They are trying to keep the peace by not revealing something that might cause conflict. As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure your teenagers understand that lying is not a viable means of staying out of trouble. You’ll have to impose consequences, consequences that make it know that they have violated your trust and have to earn in back.
Teenagers usually have their reasons for lying. They’re trying to stay out of trouble. They’re protecting a friend. They just want you off their back. Teach your children that lying is unacceptable in any form and is disrespectful both of you and your rules.
If you’ve been close to your child through the years, you’ll probably be able to spot a lie. You’ll know their facial expressions and body language well enough that you’ll know something isn’t right. If you suspect a lie from a teenager who has a history of lying, you may have to call them on it. However, a child who has always been known as truthful and honest should be given the benefit of the doubt. To jump to conclusions could permanently damage your relationship with your child.
Most grocery and department stores accept coupons, and Kroger is no exception. Kroger has a straightforward coupon policy that is easy for the average consumer to take advantage of. It is important to note, however, that Kroger, as a company, allows managers to set specific coupon policy at individual stores. This being the case, it is a good idea to check with the store manager or his designate if you’re not sure if you’re coupons will be accepted. Some stores do limit the number of coupons a customer can use in one day or in a single transaction, so be aware of these limits beforehand.
Before heading to Kroger, you should be aware of some general policies regarding coupons. These policies are in effect in most stores, not simply Kroger. You cannot use a coupon that is past its expiry date, nor can you stack coupons. Stacking coupons is the practice of applying more than one coupon to a single item. Kroger stores no longer allow this practice, so don’t expect to use four coupons to get that box of tissues free. You also cannot swap items. You must purchase the exact size and brand stated on the coupon.
Kroger has some very specific policies when it comes to coupons that do not necessarily apply to other stores such as Wal-Mart or Target. These are important to note before attempting to use coupons at any Kroger store.
Digital Coupons
Kroger now offers digital coupons. These coupons can be loaded onto a valid shopper card and used at the time of purchase. To do this, you must have an active online account. Digital coupons cannot be combined with paper coupons on the same item, though you can use digital coupons and paper coupons in the same transaction. Digital coupons and offers are applied before any paper coupons. Kroger’s Digital Coupon Policy allows the store manager to decline or limit the use of any digital coupons or offers. This is only rarely done, however, unless you are using an excessive amount of coupons in one transaction. Also be aware that you cannot load more than 150 coupons onto your shopper card at any one time. Once you redeem some of the coupons are your card, you can add additional coupons.
Double Coupons
There was a time when Kroger offered Super Double Coupons that would double the value of all coupons presented in a single transaction, up to $1.00 in value per coupon. Super Double coupons are no longer available. However, some Kroger stores do still double the value of manufacturer coupons, up to $1.00 in value. Coupons valued at $1.00 or more are accepted at face value. It is important to note that free coupons are not doubled. Also, coupons that specifically state they may not be doubled are exempt from doubling at any Kroger store, as are any digital coupons you might use.
Printable Coupons
In general, coupons printed on your home computer will be accepted as any other coupon might. You’ll want to check with the store manager first to ensure that the coupons you have are indeed accepted. To ensure your coupons are accepted, have the URL at the top of the page before you print them and do not cut them out. Each coupon must have an expiry date, bar code, and be readable. If it looks like you’ve photocopied or otherwise duplicated or altered the coupons, they will not be accepted.
Remember to obtain your coupons from reputable sources such as Coupons.com or even directly from Kroger. If the URL is not recognized by the store manager, he has every right to refuse to honor the printable coupons you present.
Kroger’s coupon policy isn’t that different from the policies of most major retailers. They will generally accept valid coupons on the purchase of most merchandise. But to be sure that your coupons will be accepted, consult with the store manager or his designate prior to approaching the checkout.
