Celeb Couples

Jennifer Lawrence says this “15-minute” rule keeps her marriage ‘alive’


The star says her husband’s organization clashes with her schedule struggles, until they agreed on one key workaround.


Jennifer Lawrence says this “15-minute” rule keeps her marriage ‘alive’© JD Images/Shutterstock
UPDATED JANUARY 16, 2026 6:23 PM EST

Jennifer Lawrence says one small “15-minute wiggle room” rule is the compromise that keeps her marriage “alive.” On the SmartLess podcast, the actress explained that her husband’s strict scheduling clashes with her ADD-related struggles with rigid timekeeping, so they built in a buffer.

The 35-year-old actress' husband, director Cooke Maroney, 41, gets frustrated when she cannot stick to a schedule, but they have learned that a period of extra minutes for Jennifer is essential for managing her attention deficit disorder (ADD)-related struggles with rigid schedules.

Jennifer Lawrence says this “15-minute” rule keeps her marriage ‘alive’© Backgrid/The Grosby Group
Jennifer Lawrence during a stroll with her husband, Cooke Maroney.

Appearing on the latest episode of the SmartLess podcast, Jennifer told hosts, actors Will Arnett, 55, Sean Hayes, 55, and 57-year-old Jason Bateman, she opened up about their relationship,

"I married somebody who is the opposite of me. He is so organized. "He's an anchor. Everything is ordered, like on the sink. Like I have to, you know, like keep the closet doors closed, and I have like my little jobs that I work really hard to do."

Jennifer Lawrence

She continued, "He's an anchor. Everything is ordered, like on the sink. Like I have to, you know, like keep the closet doors closed, and I have like my little jobs that I work really hard to do."

Asked what habits anger Cooke, whom she married at the Belcourt of Newport mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, in October 2019, Jennifer said: "The schedule." The star, who has sons Cy, 3, and a 10-month-old, whose name has never been publicly revealed, continued: "So, our kids. I mean, I get it now. I get it. But like they're on a very strict schedule, you know? It's like breakfast, 7.30am"

Jennifer Lawrence says this “15-minute” rule keeps her marriage ‘alive’© Hyperstar
Jennifer Lawrence at the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills

While Jennifer struggles with keeping to a schedule, Cooke is a master at it. The Hunger Games actress, who got engaged to her spouse in February 2019, said: "He's good at keeping it, but we've learned to keep our marriage alive, I have a 15-minute wiggle room."

Jennifer cited having ADD, a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent difficulties with attention, focus, and organization, for struggling with tight timings. The No Hard Feelings star, who met through a mutual pal in early 2018, added, "I'm ADD, and I think I should go to like occupational therapy for that."

Additionally, in the podcast episode, Jennifer said she relishes the downtime following hectic press tours for her films. The Die My Love cast member said, "That's me. I identify as a stay-at-home mom. But I am obviously working.

Jennifer Lawrence says this “15-minute” rule keeps her marriage ‘alive’© Backgrid/The Grosby Group
Jennifer Lawrence stepped out in New York City for Halloween dressed in a playful cow costume while carrying their youngest, adorably dressed as a tiny tiger, joined by husband Cooke Maroney.

"I'm not used to being busy like this. I normally have a busy like three months while I'm filming, but even in that sense, it's calm because there is nothing else to do. I just go to work, I do that, I come home, I sleep, and then I do it again. And then, like, two weeks while you promote, it is hectic."

In 2021, Jennifer told 53-year-old actress Cameron Diaz for Interview magazine that Cooke has made her life as a working mom easier. She said, "Fortunately, my husband is the greatest father in the entire world, so when I'm working, I don't have any more guilt than the usual everyday, all-day parent guilt."

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