By Guy Winch, Ph.D., author of The Squeaky Wheel

While it’s natural to moan and complain to our spouses and expect support and understanding from them, too much complaining can change the very nature of our relationship and damage it beyond repair.  When David Arquette and Courteney Cox announced they were splitting up last October, Arquette mentioned that Cox was sick of “mothering” him.  For a celebrity couple, the two have been relatively close-lipped about the details of their separation.  However, it’s fair to assume that if Cox was doing too much mothering, Arquette was doing too much complaining.

When one member of a couple becomes an over-complainer, it creates significant stress on the relationship and the entire household.  Unproductive complaining such as venting, whining and moaning, creates an atmosphere of negativity and dissatisfaction that pervades the home.  Over-complaining of the unproductive kind can also make it difficult for other members of the household to express their own joy and happiness.

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