Michael Douglas has learned to appreciate Catherine Zeta-Jones more as he's gotten older

He told PEOPLE magazine: "A lot of it has to do with age. When you've accomplished a certain amount in your career, you're not so focused on your ambitions. It makes you appreciate - and hopefully you do that sooner rather than later - the value of your partner."

Likening marriage to a blossoming flower, the 'Last Vegas' star added: "Like a lovely orchid, or anything else that's nurtured, marriage prospers and grows - but if it's ignored, it withers."

While Michael and Catherine quickly reunited after a few months of separation, the star has opened up about how he broached the tough subject with their children and feels honesty is the best policy.

He explained: "I'm more and more prone to tell kids just about everything. There's been a whole school of thought about things you should not tell children - if there's a problem in a relationship, [people say], 'Let's not let the kids know.' Kids know. They know everything. I would err on the side of pretty much sharing everything. They can digest it, you know? It's life."