NEWS'Teen Mom OG' Star Amber Portwood Reveals Giving Daughter Leah 'Space' Was 'The Best Thing' She Could Do For Their Relationship
It sounds like Amber Portwood and her daughter, Leah, have turned a corner.
The mother-daughter duo's strained relationship has played out on Teen Mom OG, but things seem to be improving as of late. In November, the 31-year-old told Page Six she was excited about her daughter reaching out to her after the two hit a rough patch when the youngster began questioning her mom's past.
Now, the reality star revealed how she mended their bond. "Honestly, when it comes to me and her, I did exactly what I thought I needed to do, which was give her space so she could understand what she was kind of like feeling and understand the emotions that she had though because she was obviously she’s getting older," Amber told HollywoodLife.
"Some people might not understand why that was the best thing that I ever could do because we actually talk now and she sees a brother all the time and that’s exactly what I wanted," she reportedly added of her 3-year-old son, James.
"She’s hugging me [and it’s just] a completely different dynamic than what you guys saw last season on OG […] where it was just kind of leaving the house and not saying anything," she gushed, per the outlet. "And that is how we’re starting to grow a little bit."
- 'Teen Mom' Star Amber Portwood Reveals Her Relationship With Her Daughter Leah Is 'So Much Better' Now
- Amber Portwood Claims She's Done Using Her Mental Health Struggles As An 'Excuse' For Strained Relationship With Daughter Leah
- 'Teen Mom OG' Recap: Amber Portwood Sobs Over Rocky Relationship With Daughter Leah: 'It Truly Breaks My Heart'
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Amber reportedly insisted she's not trying to "push" the teen and is giving her love and space. "It’s great right now. Honestly, I can’t ask for anything more."
Amber previously told Page Six the 13-year-old was asking questions about her past, which includes a history of addiction and time behind bars. She explained that she always told her daughter the truth in an age-appropriate manner.
"As she’s gotten older, she’s learned more. With her age right now, she’s kind of like, 'Well, I don’t like that attitude or behavior. I’m not like that,'" Amber said at the time. She added that her daughter is entitled to be angry at her and noted she allowed Leah to "feel her emotions."
The mother-of-two seems optimistic for the future. On Monday, January 10, she shared a photo on Instagram of herself looking out a window. "The future is bright 💫 And the view is amazing , the key is 🔑 perspective ❤️," Amber captioned the post.
Amber shares Leah with ex Gary Shirley. The former flames clashed during the Teen Mom OG reunion in November when the reality star found out Leah was going to therapy.
At the time, Amber expressed she was not upset about her daughter going to therapy but rather because she heard about it for the first time during the special. However, she told Page Six that her ex and his wife, Kristina Anderson, "have been a big help."
