Dear Dr. Romance:

I want to thank you for the article you wrote "Age Differences in Relationships"  I've been dating a guy that is 6 years younger than me (he's 20 and i'm 26) for about 10 months now and I've felt so guilty that i'm "robbing the crib" or a "cougar"...I haven't told anyone i'm in this relationship out of fear of their reaction due to the age difference.

Reading the article i felt a bit better about it because i know we are together for the right reasons and not as a fling.  I really like how you express in your article that one should start concentrating on the age and rather look at the relationship, hopefully i can start to do more of that in my relationship. 

Dear Reader:

 I'm glad you found the article helpful.  I don't think a six year difference is significant.  What's important is that you form a partnership, with mutual respect and caring.  To make your relationship successful please read Couples Can Cooperate for Success; Creating Unconditional Love; and Guidelines for Being Understood by Your Partner.  You might also find my book: How to Be a Couple and Still Be Free will help you to create the relationship you want.   I wish you good fortune in your relationship.

Couple and Free 4th Ed

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.