On Thursday’s episode of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, Ryan Edwards apologized to his son Bentley for not being in a “good place” for much of the teen’s life.
As fans know, Ryan– who shares 16-year-old Bentley with ex Maci Bookout– hasn’t always been a very present father to Bentley. Although Ryan became sober in 2023 after years of addiction, a series of arrests and multiple trips to rehab, the father and son are still working to repair their once-fractured relationship.
On Thursday, ‘Teen Mom’ fans watched Ryan take accountability for some of his parenting shortcomings after he and fiancée Amanda Conner– whom he welcomed daughter Presley with in February– moved into a new home to accommodate their growing family.
(In addition to Bentley and Presley, Ryan has kids Stella and Jagger with soon-to-be ex-wife Mackenzie Standifer; Meanwhile, Amanda is also a mom to 11-year-old son Brandon, whom she was awarded full custody of in November after having lost custody a year or so after his 2013 birth.)
During Thursday’s episode, Maci told husband Taylor McKinney that when it came to Bentley spending alone time with Ryan, she was fine with it as there’s “a safety level” and “comfort level that’s never been there before. Maci also said she was excited for Bentley to have the opportunity to make new memories with Ryan and Amanda’s growing family, admitting that she always wanted that for Bentley, but “didn’t think it would ever happen.”
Later on, Bentley visited Ryan and Amanda’s new home with his grandparents Jen and Larry Edwards and at one point during the visit, Ryan and Bentley stepped outside to talk. While their conversation began with Ryan making jokes about all the “running around” he was doing at Bentley’s age, Ryan actually went on to take some accountability for his past actions.
“You know, for the longest, I’ve not been in a good place,” Ryan told Bentley. “For a while, your mama didn’t want us together alone at all and I don’t blame her. It made me mad, but I don’t blame her now.”
As the conversation continued, Ryan noted how well everyone gets along now and how much he wished they could’ve gotten to that place sooner; however, Ryan also admitted that he wouldn’t have wanted “to deal with me either,” telling Bentley he didn’t blame Maci or Taylor for “protecting” Bentley during that time.
“ … 16 years later, here we are,” Ryan said. “I’m sorry it took this long, but it’s better now than ever.
“I’d love to spend time with you whenever you want to come over here,” he continued. “I know we ain’t been able to, but I would enjoy that … .”
In response, Bentley pointed out to Ryan that he’d never really had the opportunity to spend the night at his house, a comment that prompted Ryan to own up to the fact that there were times when he wasn’t there for Bentley, but not before assuring Bentley that if he were “ever uncomfortable with anything,” he could tell his mom if he didn’t want to tell Ryan himself.
“ … I hope I’m showing you it’s a little different,” Ryan added. “I love you, though.”
Thursday’s episode ended with Bentley telling Ryan he loved him too and the father and son sharing a hug.
New episodes of ‘Teen Mom: The Next Chapter’ air Thursdays on MTV.
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