The US Census Bureau states that most first marriages only last 7.8 years. Over 50 percent of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. Couples need to work hard on a marriage if they expect to keep the marriage healthy and make it easier for each other. Here are some tips to follow on how to make marriage easier:

Tip # 1 - Marriage is a partnership.
A successful marriage will have two partners that recognize they are equal partners. In the old days, marriage was viewed as the man's responsibility to provide financially for the marriage and the wife's role was to raise the children, cook the meals, clean the house, and provide for the emotional needs of the family. It is important to recognize that in today's society both partners usually work and both partners need to contribute to all aspects of the family. This means that a man should be able to do laundry, vacuum, cook, and clean just as much as the woman in the marriage does. If you have children and your wife stays home with them, she may spend all day taking care of them and she won't have time to clean the home and cook dinner. The husband needs to recognize that her day has been just as stressful as his and he needs to help take care of the home and share in the responsibility of raising the children. Neither the husband nor the wife in the marriage should be looked upon as your servant. A marriage is an equal partnership and all the responsibilities need to be shared.

Tip # 2 - Recognize that you are two different people.
No one is raised exactly the same, which means you will respond to situations differently. Men and women are often looked at as oil and water. A man likes to come home from work or school and relax for a bit. A woman returns home from work or school and likes to talk about her day. Women want to unload about their day, where a man just likes to have some time to himself. When you are able to recognize those differences in one another, you will have a happier marriage. A woman needs to give a man his space for a half-hour or longer, and the man needs to give his wife some time to talk about her day.

Tip # 3 - Do not allow romance and intimacy to fade.
Intimacy is an important part of a happy, successful marriage. Physical attraction normally brings a couple together and when they stop being attracted to one another; it will be difficult to have a happy, successful marriage. It can be difficult for people that have different sex drives. If you are in a relationship of this manner, work out a schedule. A woman may need some romantic evenings, where a man just needs some intimate attention from his wife. Help your partner get their needs met, so it keeps you attracted to one another and helps you maintain your love and affection for your spouse.

Tip # 4 - Remember that you cannot read each others minds.
Clear, open communication is one of the key tools in a happy, successful marriage. It is easy to become self-centered and focus on your own feelings, wants, and needs without thinking about your spouse. You may expect your spouse to understand that it is their responsibility to take out the garbage or wash the dishes, without clearly communicating this to your spouse, they may never know this. It is important to avoid setting expectations for your spouse, as they will either fail them in your mind or will accomplish them in a different manner. If you are in an argument with your spouse, pause and give your words thought before saying them. Harsh words in arguments often come back to haunt you for months, even years down the road. Your spouse's feelings will be hurt and it could take a long time to repair the hurt.

Tip # 5 - Admit your weaknesses and short-comings.
Saying "I'm Sorry" is often one of the hardest things for couples to do. It doesn't matter how the argument started, you must be the one to end it by saying your sorry. Both partners will soften and a sensitive conversation can occur and you most likely will be able to solve the problem. If your spouse is upset with you because you do not wash the dishes, let them know that is one of your weaknesses. Work out a schedule with your spouse and let them know that you may not get them done by the time they want, but that you will do them on your assigned days.

Tip # 6 - Have rational discussions with your spouse.
All too often, an argument leads to yelling, which leads to anger and either an emotional blow-up by one spouse or a complete shut-down from the other. Do not just sit there and listen to your spouse scream and yell. You should never remain silent in an argument. Instead, allow your spouse to finish what they needed to say and then calmly talk about your frustrations. Remaining calm will help you have a rational discussion and you can find a mutual agreement with your spouse. When one spouse shuts down, the other spouse may feel like they are not listening to them. People want to be acknowledged when they speak. Tension will begin to mount if one spouse stays silent while the other does all the talking. Do not shout at your spouse; always keep a calm, steady tone.

Tip # 7 - Have fun with your spouse.
After a time, married couples can hit a wall because they become overwhelmed by the daily pressures and stresses from their job, home life, or children. Financial burdens are one of the hardest challenges a married couple will encounter. It is important to take time twice a month or once a week to spend some alone time with your spouse. Do something that you both enjoy, that will strengthen the marriage. It is easy to forget about each others needs after being married for awhile. Think back to when you were dating and remember to make time to take your spouse on a date. When you have children, you will really appreciate some alone time where you can talk to your spouse without interruptions. You will be able to re-connect with your spouse and truly enjoy being with this person for the rest of your life. Do not let your marriage fall into a pattern of surviving the daily pressures and stresses of your life. Your spouse is your best friend and your love; they deserve your full attention.

Tip # 8 - Surprise your spouse.
Once and awhile it is nice to give your spouse gifts that let you know how much you truly care about them. Perhaps this can be flowers, jewelry, or a CD. Whatever the gift may be, make sure you actually think about it and that it is tailored to your spouse. Think about what makes your spouse feel good and what makes them smile. Maybe you aren't the best cook in the world, try watching a cooking show to learn how to make a gourmet dinner and surprise your spouse when they come home. Be original with your idea and randomly surprise them with a gift instead of only on Valentine's Day and their birthday.

Tip # 9 - Be nice to your in-laws.
Your spouse's life began without you and no matter how terrible you may think your in-laws are; they hold a special place in your loved one's heart. Your spouse's parents and siblings will always have a place in your marriage and it is important to recognize how much they mean to your spouse. Remember that your spouse's parents will always be on their side and it is important to avoid fighting with them. The most important person in your life is your spouse and you need to treat his or her family with respect. You cannot pick your parents or your in-laws; however you did pick each other and their family helped to shape them into the person you are in love with.

Every marriage will have bumps in the road, but the above tips can certainly make your marriage easier. The best advice is to treat your spouse the way you want to be treated. Do you enjoy being nagged and yelled at? If you don't, your spouse probably doesn't enjoy it either. Always keep your temper under control and have rational conversations with your spouse. There will always be ups and downs along the way, just remember that if you work together, you will be stronger and you will make it through the hard times. Do not let one moment of anger and aggression wipe away all the happy memories you have built together. You will only get out of a marriage what you put into it. If you are not positively contributing to your marriage, your spouse may begin to lose interest in making the marriage work and you could end up having a miserable marriage. Marriages take dedication, work, and effort on the part of both spouses.