"Nag, nag, nag." - Clint Eastwood

It's common knowledge that no one likes to be nagged.

But did you know that nagging is really no fun either?

This surprises most people. The spouse that is nagged thinks thinks the nagger stays up late planning ways to nag the next day. The teenager thinks the parents get together and create new ways and subjects on which to nag.

The whole cycle and pattern of nagging is painful for both people. It's painful for both is because nagging always results in distance between two people.

How to stop the nagging pattern

I've rarely seen a situation where one person was being accused of nagging where the other person was not being irresponsible in some way.

Nagging is no fun, for the nag-ee or for the nag-er. It takes two people working together to stop the pattern, one to be responsible, and then one to not nag.

If you are being nagged, then you need to check out and see if there are areas in which you are being irresponsible in some way.

Find the area, clean it up, and there will be no need for nagging.

After the nag-ger gets off the floor from falling over in shock, it may take a bit before they get it that they no longer have to nag. Give it a bit a time, the nagging will end.

Jeff Herring

Jeff is a marriage and family therapist, singles and relationship coach, mentor coach, speaker, syndicated relationship columnist and author.

Jeff has a full time private practice in Tallahassee in which he specializes in couples, teen and parent counseling. He also is a relationship coach specializing in working with couples and singles. Some of his professional activities include:

==> Internationally syndicated relationship columnist through Knight-Ridder/Tribune Media Services, with a weekly readership of over 10 million worldwide

==> Sought after speaker for organizations, associations, churches, and corporations

==>Twice weekly appearances on The Steve and Sara Show on Magic 107.1

==> Author of "Keep the Changes: 52 Tools for Successful Living" a collection of his best columns, as well as several e-books including "How to Create a Passionate and Loving Relationship.........Forever," "How to Beat the BOZOs: Dealing with difficult people without becoming one," and "Tame Your Teen: THE survival guide for parenting your teenager.

==> Founder and CEO of TheArticleGuy.com

==> Founder and CEO of SecretsofGreatRelationships.com

==> Founder and CEO of ParentingYourTeeanger.com

==> Founder and CEO of ToolsforSuccessfulLiving.com

==> President of BuildingYourIdealPractice.com

==> President of ConsciousDatingTallahassee.com