Tips for Making a Relationship Last for the Stars of Married to Jonas {Pampering In-Law Survival Kit Giveaway}

When it comes to love and relationships, I think we've all made our fair share of stumbles, blunders and what was I thinking? situations along the way.

However, hopefully when we've met The One, we recognize and grab hold of them while we have the chance, right? While some people might believe that can only happen after a certain age, others believe that young love can be just as true as that of more seasoned couples.

But is married life more difficult when you're younger? And what if your husband is going to be heading back to the studio to record new music with his brothers and your private life is going to be broadcast to the world? Well, then you must be megastar Kevin Jonas and his young wife Danielle as they star in E! Network's hot show, Married to Jonas.

Airing Sundays at 10/9c, Married to Jonas gives viewers a glimpse into the honest and relatable reality of falling in love fast and marrying young. Not only are Kevin and Dani featured as they continue to settle into married life together, but their parents also become a focus of the show as they find it hard to cut the cord and let the couple navigate married life on their own.

And you thought you had difficult in-laws?

While I don't consider myself anywhere near an expert on love, my husband and I will celebrate our 10 year anniversary next year. Combine that with the five years that we dated before we were married, and it actually won't be long before I can say that I've been with this man for half of my life.

Holy smokes, that's a long time.

Of course we've had our ups and downs, but here we are happy and healthy with two beautiful children. And even though it sounds cliché to say it, there truly is no one else in this world that I would rather have by my side. He's an amazing husband and father and there aren't too many days that go by that I don't consider myself extremely lucky that we found each other.

So, if I had to send Kevin and Dani (or Kenielle, as they're known to their fans) my list of the top 10 most important pieces of advice for making a relationship last, I'd ponder what I've learned over the years and tell them this:

1. Communicate. Seems obvious, doesn't it? But no matter how well you know your partner, they're not a mind reader. Don't bottle things up, that will just lead to bigger problems later on - tell them!


2. Trust. If a relationship is going to last, you have to trust your partner and they have to be able to trust you, simple as that.


3. Be kind to each other. Of course the tangible tokens are nice, but the importance of general kindness is not to be overlooked. This is your best friend, right? Compliment them, encourage them to follow their dreams, be happy for their successes (and be there to support them during their failures). I don't see how a marriage can work if you don't like each other, so don't take your partner for granted. Be kind to them!


4. Say you're sorry. I admit that I'm a stubborn fool sometimes (okay, often), so this is one that I continually have to work on. But when you're at fault, you have to let your heart be bigger than your ego and own up to your mistake. And, if your partner is the one who has made the mistake and is apologizing, accept it and move on.


5. Love your partner for who they really are. Are there aspects of my husband that I'd change? Sure. I'm sure there are plenty that he'd change about me as well. No one is ever going to be perfect, so don't waste time trying to change something that might be considered a quirk or flaw. Instead, focus on the million reasons that you fell in love with them in the first place!


6. You can never say 'I love you' too many times. As well as saying it in person, here we are nearly 15 years later, and my husband and I end every single phone call by saying 'I love you.' It doesn't matter if he is across the country traveling for work or five minutes away at the grocery store and just called to ask if we need peanut butter, we say it often.


7. Be partners. After all, a relationship is two people as equals, not one person making all the rules or always taking control. Listen to what your significant other has to say and work together to build your life. Together.


8. Laugh. I'm a firm believer in the importance of humor and laughter in any sort of relationship, but I also think that it can help keep the love alive in a marriage.
   
   Whether my husband laughs at my jokes because he really finds me funny or he's just being nice, finding shared things to laugh about is a great way for two people to feel close. Besides, laughter has been proven to actually be good for your health, so you might as well lower your stress levels and boost your immune system with a good belly laugh! 


9. Find the balance. It's no secret that life is busy. Between work, kids, family, friends, obligations... it can be hard to find the time for each other, so it's important to find the right balance between being together too often (and feeling smothered) and not spending enough time with each other (and feeling neglected).
   
   Whether you end up being a couple that has a weekly date night out or one that sets the alarm 15 minutes earlier in the morning so that you can sit and have coffee together, be sure that there is always time to foster your connection.


10. Work things out. Everyone knows that relationships aren't always going to be smooth sailing. Through all of the laughter and the tears, you have to be ready to put in the effort and hard work to not lose the connection that the two of you have with each other. If you want your relationship to last, you have to take on any issues or problems that arise and work them out!

What do you think, Kenielle? Am I ready to become a marriage counselor?

Lasting marriages all come down to two individuals that don't take each other for granted and are willing to put in the hard work and determination to build a lifetime together and focus on each other. Address issues, work to fairly resolve them, and take on the world as a team. 

And why not curl up on the couch together and tune in to see Married to Jonas every Sunday night on E! at 10/9c? The show is quickly building up a large fan base, so don't miss this young couple attempt to find their own happily ever after, no matter different their lives are from you or me.

Thanks to the show's generosity, one person will be even more prepared to relax and bond with their significant other, because...

One lucky person will win an In-Law Survival Kit* ($112 value) in honor of Married to Jonas!

*Survival Kit includes: (1) $15 iTunes Gift Card, (1) EarPollution Plugz Headphones, (1) Stress Relief - Eucalyptus Spearmint Sugar Scrub, (1) Bliss Fabulous Skin-Reviving Rubberizing masks, (1) Soothing Herbal Tea, and (1) Aromatherapy Spa Stress Relief - Shea Butter & Cedarwood Reed Diffuser

(Enter with the Rafflecopter form below. If you have any questions or problems entering, there is a video tutorial found here that can help.)

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A big thank you to Married to Jonas for providing an In-Law Survival Kit for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.