
Maci Bookout is opening up about co-parenting with her ex, Ryan Edwards. The Teen Mom stars are parents to 16-year-old son Bentley. Co-parenting with Ryan has not always been easy, but things seem to be looking up for them. While they “still have a long way to go,” Maci told In Touch that their co-parenting dynamic is “much more stable and stronger than it’s ever been.”
More from CafeMom: Chris Pratt Shares Gross Yet Relatable Photo of What ‘Real Parenting’ Looks Like
Their co-parenting relationship is ‘healthy’ now.
Getting to this point took a lot of effort, but it’s worked out so far because they didn’t put too much pressure on themselves or on each other. A couple of years ago, Maci and Ryan decided to “start over,” Maci told In Touch. She told the publication that “it took a lot of self-awareness and accountability,” as well as “patience” and “individual work.” At the same time, there was “no forcing it.”
Maci also told E! News that “Ryan being sober and healthy has created a fresh air for us to breathe in.”
“I honestly think it’s gotten here because there was no pressure,” she explained to E! “We’ve let it naturally take its course and just our communication’s better.”
She also gives Ryan’s new partner a lot of credit.
When speaking to E! News, Maci praised Ryan’s fiancée Amanda Conner. Maci told the publication that Amanda “has been a game-changer.” She and Bentley both have a good relationship with Amanda. “We’re very close friends and she’s just got really great energy,” Maci continued. “She’s very authentic and she genuinely loves and cares about Ryan and Bentley so obviously that’s all I could ever ask for.”
“Bentley really enjoys her,” Maci added. “Even my other two kids, they love her and her son, so having her around has been wonderful.”
More from CafeMom: Kailyn Lowry Reveals Shocking Amount She Spends on Fast Food for Her 7 Kids
Ryan and Amanda are expecting their first child together.
The couple celebrated their baby girl at a pink-themed baby shower in November 2024. When they shared photos and videos from the event on social media, Teen Mom fans were thrilled to see that both Maci and Bentley attended the baby shower. In October, when Ryan shared photos in which Amanda’s baby bump was clearly visible, Maci commented, “I call dibs on babysitting.”
Maci is excited for Ryan and Amanda.
In addition to attending Ryan and Amanda’s baby shower, Maci told Us Weekly that she’ll definitely be at the couple’s wedding in the future. She told the publication that she’s “excited” for Ryan.
“It’s been really awesome to see him really come into himself as a man and gain his confidence and just enjoy life and enjoy the work that he’s doing,” she said. “It’s been really cool.”
She said Ryan ‘finally picked the right one.’
Maci also told In Touch that Ryan and Amanda are “fantastic together.”
“It’s a real blessing for Bentley to be able to see someone love his dad,” she added.