Dear Dr. Romance:

I was reading an article that you have written and it caught my attention. im in an relationship where the lady is older then me. it started of great then six months later its like reality hit hard, i love this lady so much she makes me feel like i dont have a care in the world. then sometimes she makes me feel like im worhteless. i think our bigest problems consist of where is she has two kids and that i cant provide like i should be able to, she is 26 and im 20. please tell me what i should do, your my last life line. thank you and have a blessed day, 

Dear Reader: 
You are both pretty young to be saddled with so much responsibility. Your ladyfriend is probably stressed about finances, and when she's worried, she takes it out on you.  Your age difference is not too great for your relationship to succeed, but you need to be sure you're acting like an adult, taking as much responsibility as you can, being helpful to her and creating a partnership with her to make it work.  She already has two kids, she doesn't need you acting like a third kid, being needy and demanding her attention.    "Asking for What You Want" and "Stop Reacting and Start Relating"   can help you learn to solve problems without fighting,   How to Be Happy Partners: Working It Out Together  is exactly the book you both need to learn how to build a successful relationship.

Happy Partners

For low-cost counseling, email me at tina@tinatessina.com

Author's Bio: 

Tina B. Tessina, Ph.D. is a licensed psychotherapist in S. California since 1978 with over 30 years experience in counseling individuals and couples and author of 13 books in 17 languages, including It Ends With You: Grow Up and Out of Dysfunction; The Unofficial Guide to Dating Again; Money, Sex and Kids: Stop Fighting About the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage, The Commuter Marriage, and her newest, Love Styles: How to Celebrate Your Differences. She writes the “Dr. Romance” blog, and the “Happiness Tips from Tina” email newsletter.