Teen Mom’s Jenelle Evans Shares Surprising Update on Relationship With Mom Barbara (Exclusive)

Jenelle Evans is happy to report her relationship with mom Barbara Evans is in a drama-free space.

“[Things are] good,” Jenelle, 33, exclusively shared with Us Weekly before hosting her “I Do, I Did, I’m Done” divorce party at New York’s Spearmint Rhino on Thursday, June 12. “We talk from time to time, but not every day.”

When asked if it’s good to have some distance, the former Teen Mom 2 star agreed “because I can only handle her in doses.”

Jenelle later confirmed the mother-daughter duo have figured out what works for the two of them after years of ups and downs.

Fans first met Jenelle and Barbara when they appeared on MTV’s 16 and Pregnant in 2009. Cameras would continue to role on the family as Jenelle appeared on Teen Mom 2 ​​from 2011 to 2019.

Although she has made guest appearances in the franchise since her exit, Jenelle said she’s enjoying time away from reality TV cameras.

“I’m glad that I’m having this break to reorganize my brain and figure out where I’m at in life and what I want to do next,” she explained to Us. “I’m up for more reality TV. It’s just, I think Teen Mom is a closed chapter, and I would like to do other projects.”

In May, Teen Mom: The Next Chapter aired its season 2 finale. MTV has yet to confirm a new season is coming soon.

When asked about the future of the franchise, Jenelle believes “everyone needs to take a break.”

“I think having a spinoff with the kids is probably pushing it a little bit too far at the moment because they’re minors,” she explained. “Ultimately, it was up to our parents, and I feel like that you should be able to make that decision for yourself, but you can’t until you’re 18.”

Looking back on her experience with 16 and Pregnant, Jenelle said she submitted herself for the show.

While she has since had many highs and lows living in the public eye, the reality star knows exactly what she would tell her younger self.

“I would say, ‘Hang in there and everything’s going to be OK,’” she said. “I didn’t know where I was going to be in the future, and I was so worried and scared how my life would turn out when I was in all that trouble back then when I was a teenager.”

Now, as she prepares to celebrate her divorce from David Eason being finalized, Evans is ready to start living life on her own terms.

“I am closing a toxic chapter in my life. I’m opening a new one fresh, and I just want to celebrate being free,” she explained. “I just feel like this is just going to be the next big chapter of [my] life.”