‘Teen Mom’ Amber Portwood Shares Emotional Truth Behind Decision Not to Relocate for Son

Amber Portwood, known for her longtime role on Teen Mom, is a mother of two navigating the challenges of co-parenting and personal growth in the public eye. She shares a daughter, Leah, with ex Gary Shirley. But much of her recent emotional journey has centered on her relationship with her younger child, James. Born in 2018 to Amber and ex-boyfriend Andrew Glennon, James has become the focus of a difficult custody battle and complex living arrangement. Here’s what Amber recently said about the idea of relocating to California to be with her young son.

‘Teen Mom’ Amber Portwood explained why she’ll never be able to relocate to live with her son, James

Amber Portwood and Andrew Glennon’s relationship began with promise but quickly unraveled amid legal troubles and personal struggles. The Teen Mom star and her boyfriend welcomed their son, James, in 2018. But their split the following year was marked by a domestic incident that led to Amber’s arrest and a protracted custody battle. Ultimately, Andrew was granted full custody and relocated with James to California. The strained dynamic has remained a source of heartbreak for Amber, who has openly struggled with the limitations placed on her role in James’s life.

Amber currently lives in Indiana. In a recent TikTok Live segment, she shared with fans why she doesn’t plan on moving to California to be near James.

“You guys think that I can afford to live in freaking California?!” Amber shouted, according to The Ashley’s Reality Roundup. “Hold on, we’re having an issue here. I cannot afford to live in California, first of all. Second of all, my son lives in Santa Barbara and Malibu. I damn sure cannot afford to live there! What the f***?”

Amber added that moving from Indiana to California would require her to spend “all” of her money. And she wouldn’t even be able to afford a place in “the slums of Los Angeles.”

“ … Do you know how much money that is, you guys?” Amber asked. “And who the hell wants to live there?”

“I cannot move to California,” she added. “There’s no way … I could do that right now.”

Some fans think Amber Portwood wants to stay closer to Leah than to James

Leah Shirley, the daughter of Amber Portwood and Gary Shirley, has spent the majority of her life in her father’s care. Living with Gary, his wife Kristina, and their family, Leah has grown up in a stable and supportive environment away from much of the turbulence that once defined her parents’ early years on Teen Mom. While Amber has maintained a presence in Leah’s life, their relationship has faced challenges.

Fans on Reddit suspect the real reason Amber doesn’t want to move to California has to do with staying close to Leah.

“I think the real reason is because she finds being closer to Leah as more important than being closer to James,” one fan wrote. “… Regardless of her 0% effort to see Leah, in her mind I think she has the belief that ‘at least I’m nearby,’ and that gives her some type of validation.”

“James isn’t allowed to film. She gains nothing from being near him,” another fan pointed out. “Leah IS allowed to film, so being near her and having the ability to just pop up when the cameras come to town each time is convenient for her.”

The ‘Teen Mom’ star addressed Gary Shirley’s offer for her to live on his property in a trailer

In a surprising show of support, Gary Shirley extended an olive branch to his ex, Amber Portwood, by offering her the chance to live in a trailer on his property. Despite their tumultuous past and years of co-parenting ups and downs, Gary’s gesture was meant to help Amber stay close to their daughter, Leah, and rebuild her life during a difficult period.

While on TikTok Live, Amber addressed Gary’s offer.

“… Are you talking about the trailer that Gary wanted to put on his five-acre land, so I lived on his land?” Amber asked. “Oh my gosh! Yeah, of course I said no to that. What the crap? You don’t move on your ex’s land in a [trailer]. What are you talking about?”