The honeymoon is over and you are facing some problems with your marriage. Sound familiar? Chances are you are one of many American couples with minor problems affecting your relationship. If identified and dealt with together, these minor problems can be just a bump in the road, but left unresolved, they can turn into major obstacles. Below are three of the most common issues plaguing marriages today. Read on to find out if these are problems you are facing – and how to deal with them.

Communication

Marriage is held as the most intimate of relationships. When you feel distanced from your spouse because you can’t communicate with them, that relationship starts to break down. Try to identify why you are having a hard time communicating. Do you feel that you don’t have enough time with your spouse to talk? Are you worried that they won’t understand so you don’t bring it up at all? Are you afraid of a potential argument that may come up because of a discussion? Maybe it’s a simple lack of quality time with your spouse that allows you to talk. Whatever the reason, identifying what holds you back from actively and openly communicating is the first step to making progress.

Boredom

The honeymoon has been over for a while now – and your marriage has lost a lot of its excitement. This is a very common and normal problem. As your relationship develops over the years and you settle into a routine you may find that the initial excitement and interest of your relationship has fizzled. A marriage without excitement is in as much jeopardy as one with a lack of communication, even if you rarely argue. You have to remember that just because your marriage dose not have any obvious problems (like constant arguing), doesn’t mean that it doesn’t require effort. Keeping your relationship interesting and spontaneous is hard work, something that requires the effort of both people. Take the time to talk about what you would like to bring back into the relationship, and what new things you are both willing to try.

Money

Financial problems are noted to be the main cause of divorce in the United States. This is no big surprise, as money matters are a very delicate issue. If you feel that you don’t have enough say in the financial decisions, ask to be a part of the process. Whether it’s paying the bills or budgeting for the month, you may feel better helping out and your spouse may feel better sharing the burden. Either way, make sure to always discuss financial issues in a calm, mature way. Better yet, set aside time to talk about finances. If you are in a hurry, stressed out, or not prepared to talk about this sensitive issue, chances are you won’t have a productive discussion.

No matter what your marriage problems may be, there are many different programs that can help you solve them if you find that you aren’t successful doing it on your own. Marriage counseling, books, and online resources are just a few options that can get you started on your path to dealing productively with these problems. Either way, keep in mind that it will take partnership and patience to achieve your common goals.