Money, Sex, and Kids: Stop Fighting about the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage [Paperback]

Tina Tessina (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2008

Unhappy couples may be unhappy each in their own way - but they're all fighting about the same things: money, sex and kids. These three topics often cause conflict that can erode even the strongest marriages. In this prescriptive, practical guide, popular author and therapist Dr. Tina B. Tessina shows couples how to deal with their differences in these critical areas, and resolve them before they take their toll on their relationship. They learn the proper etiquette for marital debate, as well as creative approaches to solving the problems that confront them in their life together.Given today's high divorce rate statistics and the so-called age of the 'serial marriage' - "Money, Sex and Kids" helps couples avoid the divorce court by addressing the divisive issues most likely to tear their unions apart.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Tina B. Tessina, Ph.D. has been a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in California since 1978. She is the author of eleven books and is known on the Internet as "Dr. Romance." Her practice includes individual and couple counseling. And she's been happily married for more than twenty years.

About the Author

Tina B. Tessina, Ph.D. (Long beach, CA) has been a freelance licensed psychotherapist in private practice in California since 1978. She is the author of 11 books, her practice includes individual and couple counselling. She has been happily married for more than 20 years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Adams Media (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598693255
• ISBN-13: 978-1598693256
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,014,654 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tina B. Tessina, Ph.D. http://www.tinatessina.com is a licensed psychotherapist in S. California, with over 30 years experience in counseling individuals and couples and author of 13 books, including It Ends With You: Grow Up and Out of Dysfunction (New Page); How to Be a Couple and Still Be Free (New Page); The Unofficial Guide to Dating Again (Wiley) and The Real 13th Step: Discovering Self-Confidence, Self-Reliance and Independence Beyond the Twelve Step Programs (New Page.) Her newest books, out from Adams Press in 2008: Money, S*x and Kids: Stop Fighting About the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage and Commuter Marriage. She publishes Happiness Tips from Tina, an e-mail newsletter, and the 'Dr. Romance Blog' http://drromance.typepad.com/dr_romance_blog/

She is an online expert, answering relationship questions at Divorce360.com and Yahoo!Personals, as well as a Redbook Love Network expert and 'Psychology Smarts' columnist for First for Women.Dr. Tessina guests frequently on radio, and on such TV shows as 'Oprah', 'Larry King Live' and ABC news. Follow her at twitter.com/tinatessina. Facebook: www.facebook.com/tinatessina

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She knows the problems we all have, October 17, 2008

By 

Kathy Seal (Los Angeles, Ca.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Money, Sex, and Kids: Stop Fighting about the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage (Paperback)

Tessina, who has counseled couples for more than 30 years, seems to know what problems people have when it comes to the biggies - money, sex, and kids. Her book by that name lays out in detail very practical solutions. Do you two have different ideas and feelings about money? Put those different attitudes on the table- discuss them-- then keep separate checkbooks and credit or debit cards, but a common checkbook or credit card for major shared bills. Hmm, never thought of that! Don't shy away from manipulation, says Tessina -just so it's positive manipulation, thought through so you get a good response: like, "How about if we take out a home equity loan, and use it to renovate the kitchen (like you want) and buy the new car (like I want)?" Though you probably won't try this one till today's frozen credit thaws.

Money, Sex, and Kids is really a manual. First you find your problem - termed Struggle - in boldface-- then the Situation or background, and then the Solution. You wouldn't read Money, Sex, and Kids like a novel. It's more like a cookbook that you keep around and dip into when you need a recipe. I wish I'd had it earlier in my marriage, when I'd had all these problems she writes about that I recognize only too well!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book for ALL Married Couples Who Want to Stay That Way, December 10, 2007

By 

Elaine Shimberg (Tampa, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Money, Sex, and Kids: Stop Fighting about the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage (Paperback)

Prolific non-fiction writer, Tina Tessina, Ph.D., has written many books on women and relationships. But she really hits the bullseye with MONEY,SEX, and KIDS: Stop Fighting About the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage.

Although she states that "raising kids is the most complicated, puzzling, and hopefully rewarding job a couple can have," she goes on to honestly admit that "the fights about children can be the most intense and complex." Fortunately, she then describes ways that couples can work together to compromise in solving those issues.

She also lists skills that are necessary to learn in order to create a "truly loving partnership." As a licensed psychotherapist since 1978, Dr. Tessina carefully presents the struggle and the situation first, and then offers the solution to money, sex, and kids squabbles.

If this book were among the gifts given at engagement parties and appeared on book shelves of married folks, perhaps our sad statistics of divorce among first, second, and even third marriages could be reduced.

Reviewed by Elaine Fantle Shimberg, author of BLENDING FAMILIES and co-author of THE COMPLETE SINGLE FATHER.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo, Dr. Romance!, January 31, 2009

By 

Abby Aronowitz - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Money, Sex, and Kids: Stop Fighting about the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage (Paperback)

"Money Sex and Kids" is an incredibly useful resource! This book helps couples to understand and resolve the three primary issues responsible for marital discontent. First Dr. Tessina broadens awareness about why people may act in a certain manner. Then she moves beyond insight, enlightenment and understanding, towards a constructive plan of action. These practical tools offer a great opportunity to improve and repair difficult relationships. "Money Sex and Kids" offers hope for couples to maximize bliss and minimize angst. Bravo, Dr. Romance! - Dr. Abby Aronowitz, Psychologist. Author of "Your Final Diet" [..]