Exclusive: Teen Mom's Maci: Ryan "Has No Boundaries" Disciplining Our Son
For Teen Mom star Maci Bookout, co-parenting son Bentley with ex-fiance Ryan Edwards is no picnic.
"We barely speak," Bookout, 19, admits in the new issue of Us Weekly. "But I don't think it's a bad thing. We just try to avoid arguments as much as possible."
PHOTOS: TV's most controversial moms
But argue they do: the former couple have sparred over everything from child support to his new girlfriend to pacifiers. On one episode of MTV's reality hit, Bookout struggled to wean Bentley, 22 months, off of his pacifier -- only to have dad Edwards, 22, give in to their son's demands.
"He's just going to get [his pacifier] at Ryan's house," Bookout tells Us. "I think Ryan spoils Bentley and really has no boundaries as far as discipline. With me, I don't want Bentley to grow up and be a brat when he's 4 years old."
The Chattanooga State journalism student and waitress adds that her ex isn't much of a hands-on dad during Bentley's visits to his home. "As far as Bentley getting fed, his diaper changed, taking a bath, it's mainly Ryan's mom doing all of that," Bookout says.
She adds hopefully that Edwards' new girlfiend could "make Ryan want to grow as a father. I don't want him to find a girlfriend who just wants to party."
PHOTOS: Who's going to be a mom next?
Meanwhile, Bentley has a new father figure in Kyle King, Bookout's beau of six months. "It's weird to see [Bentley] loves Kyle enough that Kyle can make him feel better...I like that emotional support that comes with having a partner," Bookout cooes of King, 22.
Wedding bells for childhood pals Bookout and King? "We're going to see what happens," she tells Us.
For more of our exclusive interview with Maci -- plus sitdowns with Farrah, Amber and Catelynn -- pick up the new issue of Us Weekly, on stands now!
Tell Us What You Think
157These girls are lucky they get paid to be on tv for being teen mothers because otherwise it would be even tougher than it already is for them.
Cool beans.. I love watching this show!!
I love watching the show. I love all the girls, they are all real people with real emotions. They are allowed to be real people even if they are on camera, so what if any of the girls act like "brats" there lives are always on camera, they can't always be perferct little ladies, they are only human and they act excatly how any other human being would act.
I wasn't very fond of Farrah until I found out what she went through. True, she didn't handle it in the best way possible, but I have a ton of respect for the girl. I think that's one of the hardest things you can go through!
I'm appalled at these people who claim these girls should have used birth control and the claims of MTV "glorifying" this lifestyle. First off, many teens are too afraid or simply unaware of birth control. Thank Heavens my mother talked with me about it after becoming a teen mom herself. Maci only had sex once and she got pregnant. She even said her mother didn't have time to discuss birth control with her because she was already pregnant. It's so easy to say "well, that's what you get for having sex" but the reality is that teens, with thier raging hormones and everything else (developing mind, etc) rarely, if ever, think of these possibilities. It's a parents job to discuss these situations with their children. But unfortunatly, it rarely happens for a multitude of reasons. Secondly, do any of you realize that there are girls out there that think having a baby will be fun and wonderful? This show debunks that attitude. It proves how difficult it can be to be a teen mother. Hell, I'm 22 and my mother insists that I watch this show. I can see the struggles my own mother went through as a teen mother. Motherhood isn't all sunshine, rainbows and playing with a cute baby that will love you forever. If this show changes one girls mind about attempting to get pregnant (and believe me, there are girls out there) then this show did its job. For once, MTV has actually put a program on the air that can be beneficial to its key demographic. In closing, don't be so judgmental. This could be any young woman in your life. It is sad that it has come to this, a television show chronicling the lives of these young women, but if parents refuse to be open about the realities of sex, then someone has to do it. Even if it is MTV.
She kept bringing Ryan up even if they didn't ask about him. So how was meeting Ryan's girlfriend" " well Ryan made it akward". It seemed like Maci couldn't answer any questions without taking a low blow at Ryan even if she had the opportunity to talk about something else. I think that she just wanted to talk about him LOL. I'm not saying that Ryan is or isn't a great father, but remember there is editing and her editing is favorable. For instance, her spring break pics won't be featured on the show, but if it were Farrah they would have included it. Shows create characters, that's what makes the show interesting. I just don't think that we should take Maci's word for it and then the 2 seconds of editing. Last season we never saw Ryan with Bentley, when they showed the lost footage-- Ryan and his friends had taken Bentley to the aquarium-- but ofcourse they did not show that during the season because Ryan was supposed to be the character that spent NO time with Bentley. Also, Maci had black x's on her hand at the same point that she was complaining about Ryan being out, but MTV didn't show her going out because that was supposed to be Farrah's thing. If I didn't see the black x's I would've thought she was at home with Bentley studying for school 24/7-- then again she failed 2 semesters....? This is all editing and you all eat it up. I'm not saying Maci is a bad Mom, but she isn't perfect just like Ryan isnt.
I think Maci is going to be the only one who does something for herself and her child and she is the most mature! She didnt play Ryan's games and she moved on, went on raising her son and continued with school. Now she has reconnected with someone great and who adores her child! I had my first child at 17 and the sperm donor chose drugs over his child's life. I met someone else who WANTED to be a father and took that role on seriously. I am now 33 and we are still married 15 yrs later. We had a 2nd child by the time I was 18 and a 3rd (who has autism) and we ared oing fabulous! So there is hope out there!
I think maci is right ryan does need to grow up some more and be there for bently and kyle is such a great father figure to that little boy. ive watched bently grow and i love maci and bently. Good Luck Maci
I think Maci is a wonderful mother. Her maturity, strength and love leaves me in awe every time I watch Teen Mom! She is an amazing young woman and I wish her all the best.
fszdgxfhcgjvhkjvmjcghxfdvcbg
This show seriously is not that bad. The babies are cute, the moms have grown so much since we first met them, and my 15-year-old cousin Catie asked me a few weeks ago if I'd ever seen the show. I said duh, of course I have, and she got super quiet and asked if guys really act they way Ryan treats Maci. I said HELL YEAH, a guy can be totally smitten with you but when you're young, be a little more aware that he might not be your Prince Charming in a couple months when everything hits the fan! I could tell it really scared her.
Maci is an amazing Mom and amazingly responsible for her age. I have nothing but respect for her and how she handles Ryan's immaturity. Keep doing what you are doing, girl!
I'll bet when Bentley becomes a teenager, gets rebellious and disrespectful and such, Maci'll REALLY be hoping Ryan'll step up to the plate then...I think there will be times when Ryan HAS to be strict and punish him and such.
I REALLY ADMIRE MACI FOR HER PARENTING SKILLS WITH BENTLY, SHE DOESN'T WHIONE OR DEPENDS ON HER MOM TO CARE FOR HIM. AS FOR RYAN, HE IS JUST A JERK THAT WILL SOON BE A FATHER AGAIN WITH SOME ONE ELSE. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK MACI AND I LIKE YOUR NEW BOYFRIEND AND HOPES IT WORKS OUT FOR YOU.
I live with my baby's father and his parents and I work at night and he works during the day. I watch him during the day and at night his parents watch the baby while his dad plays video games and whatever!
i like this show.. but im diggin the awesome font for these comments more right now haha
I can feel Maci's pain. I am too a teen mom and whenever I have my baby stay with her dad , his mom takes care of my baby. It is annoying because I want him to do what he needs to do but feels like he doesnt have to, it is frustrating because I want my baby to feel that her father loves her and can take care of her so she can look up to him one day. I dont think he'll ever grow up at this point and when he does he will regret not taking care of our baby. I love watching Teen Mom cause I can relate with the struggles they go though. Having a kid at a young age is a struggle no matter what, juggling with work and school and taking care of baby , wanting to spend all the time with your baby but you have to still do hw when you get home, its definitely very hard being a teen mom . My favorite are Maci and Farrah on the show thier the most entertaining, I forward the show when i see catelynn, and amber and her bf is a funny couple to watch cuz thier eating all the time if anyone have noticed .
Yeah ... this show should be shown in every high school in the country ... but .. That someone from MTV is somehow responsible for this show being on the air ... I thought we would get hit by an asteroid , before this would have happened ...
Macie .. face it ... Ryan is never going to be the father to Bently .. that you want him to be ... His parents did a sorry job at teaching him any kind of work ethics ... Macie , just live a good life and take care of your son.... and the right person will come along .. don't be in a big hurry to get married again ... it was wrong the first time and if you do it so soon ... it will most likely fail , as the first did .. you have all the time in the world ... and by the way ... Ryan will be a father to Bently ... he will just be a sorry one ...
Maci, I adore you as a mother and you have an adoreable son.If you are having problems getting child support for Ryan then something needs to be done and then maybe he will realize he has to be a father to his son and not a friend. Farrah, I love you as a mother but you can't psu hyour partents out of your life. They can be a big help to you in helping you raise Sophia,then maybe you wouldn't be so stressed out. Catelynn, You are amazing and strong. I believe everyone need to get off you for being on the show with no baby. You show teen moms that it is okay to give your baby up so that they dont have to struggle when trying to do teenager things. Amber, You need to stop being a jerk about everything. Just let life happen and people do things they want to do them. You are going to raise your daughter around all this yelling and its not going to be a good future for her in that house.