How do you cope?
Keep perspective by remembering that you’re seeing other relationships out of context and that all that glitters isn’t gold. Also, recall couples you know who you thought were gloriously and passionately happy with each other, but who ultimately got divorced. Finally, have weekly conversations with your partner about things that you appreciate about each other and for which you are grateful. Share with each other things that you would like to improve in your relationship. Then suggest first steps you can take to start your improvement process.

2. High Sex Drive vs. Low Sex Drive
This is either the most common challenge facing couples or at least the one most talked about in women magazines and on talk shows. If the one with the greater drive can’t redirect sexual urges, he or she might be tempted to stray, become deceitful or feel resentful. TOP

How do you cope?
If you have the higher sex drive, request love-making in a non-whiny, non-guilt-inducing manner. Also, be able to take a "no" without pouting or becoming snippy, which will only further turn off your partner. If you're the one with the lower sex drive, try to understand and accept the importance of sex with your partner. Feel complimented that your partner is still turned on sexually by you.

3. Overly Logical vs. Overly Emotional
In one of my couple sessions, one woman blurted out at her husband, "Just because I’m emotional doesn’t make me irrational. And just because you’re logical, doesn’t make you rational!" The old stereotype of the man being logical and the woman being emotional no longer applies. Men and women can now be either overly emotional or practical. TOP

How do you cope?
To iron out the challenges between this water/oil mixture of personalities, consciously avoid using words like "never" and "always" with each other. Using them only guarantees that any discussion will deteriorate into an argument. It’s also helpful to anticipate your partner’s likely reaction to your logical or emotional comments. If it’s likely to turn out poorly, select a different way of communicating your concerns. Finally, keep in mind that it may have been your partner’s opposite personality style that attracted you to him or her in the first place.

4. Married to Career vs. Married to the Kids
During the "honeymoon" stage of your relationship, you likely scheduled the rest of your life around your romantic relationship. After the honeymoon stage ends, however, your love relationship gets squeezed in around the rest of your life. Thus, you and your partner go from feeling important to feeling inconsequential. TOP

How do you cope?
Formally set a weekly "date night" where you focus on the relationship or do an activity that has nothing to do with your careers or kids. If it’s been a while since you’ve done this, it will feel awkward, and either or both of you might want to avoid it. Just stick with it and soon the awkwardness will give way to the closeness you once felt.

5. Growing/Outgoing vs. Stagnating/Withdrawn
One partner wants to take a new lease on life, just as the other seems to be withdrawing. Often, it is the woman wanting to grow after the kids have finally left the nest while men may feel less vital.

How do you cope?
Remember that actions respond more to actions than to words. If you’re the growing partner and your words fall on deaf ears, you might need to take action and lead by example. Often when the withdrawn person sees that they can’t keep you back, they may join in and eventually catch the growth bug from you. You might also consider having your partner evaluated for depression or anxiety, which are common challenges faced by empty-nesters.