Teen Mom Amber's Plea: Daughter Leah Still Distant

Amber Portwood, a figure from Teen Mom, has confirmed that her relationship with her daughter, Leah Shirley, continues to be strained. As Leah approaches her 18th birthday in November 2026, Amber expressed her deep sadness over their infrequent contact. She shared on Instagram, "I don't see my daughter often, sadly." Amber remains hopeful that Leah will eventually understand her mother's love.

During a February 2025 episode of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, viewers witnessed Leah discussing her desire for Kristina Shirley, her father Gary Shirley's wife, to adopt her. Leah cited Kristina's unwavering support since kindergarten as a primary reason.

Even after the cameras stopped rolling, the distance between Amber and Leah has not diminished. Amber, who also has an 8-year-old son named James, noted the particular difficulty of having Leah nearby while still maintaining a significant emotional distance. She praised Leah's intelligence and strong personality.

Leah, who is currently navigating her senior year of high school, has been open about her decision to seek therapy. In 2025, she explained to her father that she believed her relationship with Amber had caused her significant issues. Leah seeks therapy to help her forgive Amber and move forward, acknowledging the difficulty of the process.