Amber Portwood may not have a relationship with her almost-18-year-old daughter Leah, but the former ‘Teen Mom’ star says things are going great with her son, James— and his dad.
During the latest episode of her YouTube show, the couch aficionado was asked about the current state of her relationships with her kids. Amber stated that, although she has joint custody of Leah (whom she shares with Gary Shirley), she respects Leah’s decision not to be in her life.
“I respected her wishes because of what she had went through from my past s**t,” Amber said.
As for eight-year-old James— whom Amber shares with ex Andrew Glennon— Amber claims she is very involved in his life, despite the fact that he lives in California with Andrew while she’s in Indiana.
“When it comes to my son, guys, I am full-on his mommy,” she continued. “I see him. We spend holidays together, things like that. That is my son.”
Amber stated that “on paper” she technically has “more rights than joint custody” to James.
“On papers, I have all summers, all these visits. Like, everything,” she said. “…I’m still in my son’s life. I don’t cuss around my kids. He’s doing amazing! I’m a good mom. We’re good.”
She also gave an update on her relationship with James’ dad, Andrew Glennon.
As ‘Teen Mom’ fans are aware, Amber and Andrew had a very messy breakup that ended with Amber being arrested for domestic battery against Andrew in 2019. Following their breakup, Amber and Andrew had a very public, bitter fight over custody of James, who ended up moving to California with Andrew in 2022, despite Amber protesting the move. In 2023, Andrew filed an emergency motion to suspend Amber’s parenting time with James, after concerns about her mothering were raised.
By 2024, however, Andrew reported that things between him and Amber had settled “for the sake of our son.” Andrew even claimed in an interview that year that Amber is a “loving, caring and present” mom to James.
According to Amber’s latest video, she and Andrew have forgiven each other for their past machete mishaps mistakes.
“S**t happened between me and his father but we are co-parenting and we’re doing a very decent job at it,” Amber said. “There’s just no malice there. Me and Andrew, we’ve already said to each other, ‘Sorry’; both ends on what has all happened and transpired. And that’s all I need. I don’t need people writing s**t that’s not real and not true.”
Amber stated that she often plays video games with James virtually and speaks to him frequently.
“When it comes to my son James, [our relationship is] amazing,” she said, adding that she just spent time with him in California. “He is so excited to show me everything.”
Amber added that she taught James Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu… and how to use num-chuks (as you do).
“It freaked his f**king dad out, by the way,” Amber announced gleefully.
Last month, Amber gave an update on her current situation with Leah.
“I don’t see my daughter often, sadly,” Amber told fans. “My daughter will be 18 in November. [I] tried, tried, tried, guys. [I] really did … I’m praying to God all the time that one day, she will be able to understand and see her mother loves her. It’s hard, it’s really hard.”
You can watch Amber’s latest video below.
RELATED STORY: ‘Teen Mom’ Amber Portwood Gives Update on Her Relationship with Estranged Daughter Leah: “[I] Tried, Guys”
(Photos: YouTube; MTV)
