Maci Bookout McKinney Embraces a Season of Change
Maci Bookout McKinney is sharing more of her life as a mom of three on season 2 of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter. The mom of three tells PEOPLE she’s adjusting to raising a young man, as she prepared for oldest son, Bentley, to turn 16 and start driving. Maci also opens up about how she and husband Taylor McKinney are adjusting to co-parenting with her ex, Ryan Edwards.
Introducing Viewers to the Real Ryan Edwards
Speaking with PEOPLE about the new season of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, the mom of three says that she’s excited to share a lot of new things
with fans of the MTV reality series.
I think for me, I feel like this season is full of new things viewers haven’t seen in the past. Bentley is almost grown and he’s driving, so I’m parenting a young man, not a baby or a toddler or a little kid anymore,
she shares. Maci also says that she’s excited for fans to get to know the real Ryan,
as she settles into co-parenting her oldest with ex Ryan Edwards and his girlfriend, Amanda Conner.
Adjusting to Co-Parenting Dynamics
I’m still trying to navigate and figure out what co-parenting looks like with Ryan and me. Later this season, everyone will finally get a chance to get to know the real Ryan and see who he is and how his relationships are developing.
Maci and husband Taylor McKinney — with whom she shares son Maverick, turning 8 this week, and daughter Jayde, 9 — are getting used to co-parenting with Ryan after always having co-parented with his parents.
Proud Moments With Her Kids
Bentley isn’t the only one giving Maci reasons to be proud. Reflecting on her daughter Jayde, Maci raved, Jayde is just my favorite human of all time. I want to be Jayde when I grow up.
Maverick has had some struggles in school. He has dyslexia and goes to a class called RTI and he absolutely loves it. I’m really proud of him and his perseverance in learning how to learn. It’s definitely hard and difficult at times, so I’m just really proud of his perseverance there.
Bentley’s Impressive Advocacy for Mental Health
All of them are cheering on Bentley, who turns 16 this October as he pursues his many passions, which include being candid about mental health.
I honestly have always been kind of in awe of Bentley and his willingness to start therapy, continue therapy, talk about therapy and be an advocate for other young men and boys.
Maci adds proudly.
He’ll be the first one to be like ‘I’ve gone through something like that. You should talk to someone. I’ll tell my mom to send your mom my doctor’s number.’
Savoring Summer With Family
The family of five is looking forward to the summer though Maci admits, I feel like this summer is hitting a little bit different for me because this is the last summer before Bentley gets his driver’s license.
I feel in a weird way like it’s our last real full summer with him. With all my kids I really want to be in the moment just living and enjoying all of it.
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