- Maci Bookout McKinney shares more about her life as a mom of three in season two Teen Mom: The Next Chapter
- The mom of three tells PEOPLE she’s adjusting to raising a “young man” as she prepares 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
Maci Bookout McKinney is embracing a season of change.
Talking to PEOPLE about the new season Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, the mom of three says she’s excited to share “a lot of new things” with fans of the MTV reality series.
“I think for me this season is full of new things that viewers haven’t seen in the past. Bentley is almost grown up and driving, so I’m the parent of a young man, not a baby or a toddler or a toddler anymore,” she shares.
Maci also says she’s excited for fans to “meet the real Ryan” as she decides to parent her oldest child with ex Ryan Edwards and his girlfriend Amanda Conner.
“I’m still trying to figure out what co-parenting Ryan and I look like. Later this season, everyone will finally get a chance to meet the real Ryan and see who he is and how his relationships develop.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Maci Bookout & Taylor McKinney Reunite With Ryan Edwards For ‘Easter Shenanigans’ With Son Bentley
Maci and husband Taylor McKinney — with whom she shares son Maverick, who turns 8 this week, and daughter Jayda, 9 — are getting used to co-parenting with Ryan after “always co-parenting with his parents.”
“It’s still very new for us. We’re trying to do everything honestly and respectfully and figure out what that looks like for us,” she says.
They’re all rooting for Bentley, who turns 16 this October, as he pursues his many passions, including being honest about mental health.
“Honestly, I’ve always been in awe of Bentley and his willingness to start therapy, stay in therapy, talk about therapy and be an advocate for other young men and boys,” shares the proud mom.
“He’ll be the first one to say, ‘I’ve been through something like that. You should talk to someone. I’ll tell my mom to text your mom my doctor’s number,'” she continues. “I’ve always been very proud of that because, for young people, I think it’s really important for your peers to stand up for themselves and help each other take steps to advocate for themselves.”
Bentley Edwards and Maci Bookout McKinney.
Maci Bookout/ Instagram
Maca’s younger couple also gives her reasons to be proud.
“Jayde is just my favorite person of all time,” she raves, adding, “I want to be Jayde when I grow up.”
“Mav has been struggling at school. He’s dyslexic and he goes to a call called RTI and he absolutely loves it. I’m really proud of him and his persistence in learning how to learn. It’s definitely hard and tough at times, so I’m really proud of his perseverance there.”
The family of five can’t wait for summer, although Maci admits, “I feel like this summer is a little different for me because it’s the last summer before Bentley gets his driver’s license.”
“I feel, in a weird way, like this is our last real summer with him,” she says. “With all my kids, I really want to be in the moment, just live and enjoy it all.”
Teen Mom: The Next Chapter airs Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. on MTV.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education