Teen Mom OG Recap: Amber Portwood’s ‘Fake’ Birthday Drama, Carly’s Adoption Struggles, and More April 6 Episode Highlights

The April 6 episode of MTV’s Teen Mom OG delivered a fresh wave of emotional turmoil and heated confrontations, particularly placing fan-favorite Amber Portwood squarely in the hot seat with her daughter, Leah. As the long-running reality series continues to follow the lives of its original cast members, viewers were once again privy to the raw, unfiltered realities of co-parenting, adoption challenges, and personal growth.

This installment showcased pivotal moments for Amber Portwood, Catelynn Lowell and Tyler Baltierra, Mackenzie McKee, Maci Bookout, and Cheyenne Floyd, each grappling with unique challenges that resonated deeply with the struggles of modern parenthood. From heartbreaking family rifts to crucial steps towards mental health and anxious waits for life-altering test results, the episode was packed with the drama and genuine human experiences that keep fans tuning in.

Amber Portwood and Leah’s Strained Relationship: A “Fake” Birthday and Growing Distance

The most impactful storyline of the episode centered on Amber Portwood and her daughter, Leah. Following Amber’s controversial decision to skip Leah’s 12th birthday party, tensions reached an all-time high when Amber delivered a truly shocking and hurtful message to her daughter. Instead of offering an apology or a sincere explanation for her absence, Amber compounded the issue by telling Leah via Snapchat that she found her birthday celebration “fake.” This statement sent shockwaves through their already fragile relationship, leaving Leah feeling deeply offended and misunderstood.

The episode opened with Amber attempting to justify her distance from Leah to her mother. Amber explained her belief in giving Leah “space,” suggesting that the 12-year-old should be the one to initiate contact when she felt ready to reconcile. According to Amber, this approach stemmed from the adage “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” implying that Leah needed to miss her mother before any meaningful reunion could occur. Amber’s mom, however, wisely cautioned against this strategy, emphasizing Leah’s young age and the risk that such prolonged distance could permanently sever their bond. Yet, Amber remained steadfast, even claiming that her “space” strategy was proving effective because she noticed Leah viewing her Snapchat pictures – a rather tenuous indicator of reconnection.

There’s *a lot* more to come on this season of #TeenMomOG. 👀 pic.twitter.com/EYy4bq3jr4

— Teen Mom (@TeenMom) March 24, 2021

The true impact of Amber’s actions became clear when Leah confided in her father, Gary Shirley. Leah recounted Amber’s Snapchat message, detailing the stinging accusation that her birthday party was “fake.” While Amber offered no further explanation for this comment, only telling Leah she’d “understand when she’s older,” the damage was already done. Leah was deeply hurt and made it unequivocally clear to Gary that even if she were to repair her relationship with her mom in the future, she would never again want to spend one-on-one time with Amber or even sleep at her house. This powerful declaration highlighted the severity of the emotional chasm growing between them. Leah poignantly articulated that while Amber may have given birth to her, it was her stepmom, Kristina, who had consistently been there for her since she was four years old, underscoring the vital role Kristina plays in Leah’s life.

This unfolding drama serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of parental relationships, especially when communication breaks down and past hurts linger. Amber’s choice to criticize rather than comfort or explain left Leah feeling dismissed and invalidated, potentially pushing her further away at a crucial developmental stage. The consequences of Amber’s “space” strategy, coupled with her ill-advised comments, seem to be creating a deeper, rather than shallower, divide with her daughter.

Catelynn and Tyler Baltierra: The Emotional Toll of Distant Adoption

Another emotionally charged segment focused on Catelynn Lowell and Tyler Baltierra, who met with their adoption counselor, Dawn, to discuss their ongoing struggles with seeing their firstborn daughter, Carly. The couple expressed profound frustration over not having seen Carly in two years, a significant period compounded by the global pandemic. While they acknowledged COVID-19 as a contributing factor, their meeting with Dawn revealed a deeper underlying issue.

Dawn, ever the voice of reason, gently probed Catelynn and Tyler, asking if they had actively reached out to Carly’s adoptive parents, Brandon and Teresa, to propose virtual visits like video calls. To Dawn’s surprise, Tyler admitted they had not. This revelation left Dawn perplexed, questioning why the couple was framing the situation as if Brandon and Teresa were intentionally withholding Carly, when in reality, Catelynn and Tyler hadn’t initiated contact in a proactive manner. This segment highlighted the delicate balance and communication required in open adoptions, especially during challenging times.

“Space sometimes feels like the best thing.” 💔 Dawn pays @CatelynnLowell and @TylerBaltierra a visit to talk through their current relationship with Carly on tonight’s #TeenMomOG. pic.twitter.com/4kZNxk9qLU

— Teen Mom (@TeenMom) April 6, 2021

Fortunately, Catelynn appeared more receptive to Dawn’s guidance. Inspired by the conversation, she took the initiative to reach out to Teresa, asking if she could send Carly a digital frame pre-loaded with recent pictures of Catelynn, Tyler, and their extended families. Teresa graciously agreed, offering a small but significant step towards bridging the communication gap. Tyler, on the other hand, remained hesitant, expressing his fear of saying or doing something that could jeopardize their already fragile relationship with Brandon and Teresa. This internal conflict revealed Tyler’s deep-seated anxieties surrounding Carly’s adoption. In a moment of candor, he even told Catelynn that he would be “fine” if Brandon and Teresa ever decided to sever ties completely, adding that he believed Catelynn would struggle more with such a decision than he would. This honest but painful admission underscored the varying ways in which they cope with their unique situation, highlighting the emotional complexity and ever-present pain associated with open adoption.

Mackenzie McKee: Addressing Son’s Behavioral Struggles Through Therapy

Mackenzie McKee’s segment shed light on the challenges of parenting through personal hardship and major life changes. The episode featured an incredibly embarrassing incident where Mackenzie’s youngest son had an accident in a friend’s garage shortly after her husband, Josh, had returned to Oklahoma. This initial mishap was compounded by escalating behavioral issues, including her son biting his teacher and other classmates at school.

Deeply concerned and mortified by her son’s behavior, Mackenzie sought professional help, contacting a therapist to understand the root cause of these sudden changes. The therapist demonstrated remarkable insight, quickly identifying the immense stresses Mackenzie’s son had endured in recent months. The tragic death of his grandmother, coupled with the family’s relocation to Florida, were pinpointed as significant contributing factors to his acting out. The therapist confirmed that these profound life changes and emotional traumas were indeed the reasons behind his challenging behavior. Reassuring Mackenzie, the therapist agreed to meet with her son, offering hope and a plan to help him navigate his emotions and get back on a healthy developmental track. This storyline underscores the importance of acknowledging the impact of trauma on children and seeking timely professional support.

Maci Bookout, Bentley, and Ryan Edwards: The Ongoing Co-Parenting Saga

The perennial tension between Maci Bookout and Ryan Edwards, particularly concerning their son Bentley, continued to unfold. During Bentley’s grandfather Larry’s 60th birthday party, Ryan seized an opportunity to attempt to undermine Maci’s credibility with their son. Ryan tried to tell Bentley that Maci had been “lying” to him about various things, an obvious attempt to sway Bentley’s perspective. He and his wife, Mackenzie, stubbornly maintain their belief that Maci is “brainwashing” Bentley into disliking Ryan, consistently refusing to take ownership or responsibility for Ryan’s well-documented addiction issues. This continued denial from Ryan and Mackenzie highlights the deep-seated problems that persist in their co-parenting dynamic, preventing any genuine progress.

Despite these ongoing challenges, a small but significant step forward occurred. To Maci and Bentley’s relief and hope, Ryan did ultimately call Bentley’s therapist to schedule a meeting. This action, long advocated for by Maci, represents a potential opening for Ryan to finally engage in constructive dialogue and address the underlying issues affecting his relationship with Bentley. While the path ahead remains uncertain, and the history of denial is strong, this commitment to therapy offers a glimmer of hope for Bentley’s emotional well-being and a more stable co-parenting future.

Cheyenne Floyd: Anxious Wait for Genetic Test Results

Finally, Cheyenne Floyd’s storyline focused on the profound anxiety she and her partner, Zach, were experiencing while awaiting the results of Zach’s genetic test. The test was crucial in determining whether their unborn child would inherit VLCAD (Very Long-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency), a rare metabolic disorder that her first daughter, Ryder, already has. Throughout the entire episode, Cheyenne’s nerves were palpable, reflecting the immense emotional weight of the situation.

The fear of potentially having another child with a serious genetic condition is a heavy burden for any parent. Viewers witnessed Cheyenne grappling with this uncertainty, highlighting the emotional resilience required to face such possibilities. The outcome of Zach’s test holds significant implications for their family, not only for the health of their unborn baby but also for the planning and emotional preparation required to parent a child with special needs. Her story reminded viewers of the unseen struggles many families face, adding a layer of poignant reality to the episode.

A Glimpse into the Ongoing Journeys

The April 6 episode of Teen Mom OG served as a powerful reminder of the complex, often messy, and intensely personal journeys undertaken by these young mothers and their families. From Amber and Leah’s fracturing bond to Catelynn and Tyler’s adoption heartache, Mackenzie’s parenting struggles, Maci and Ryan’s co-parenting standoff, and Cheyenne’s anxious wait, each storyline resonated with genuine human emotion and the ongoing quest for resolution and growth. As these mothers navigate their highly public lives, they continue to face challenges that many viewers can relate to, making their stories compelling and enduring.

The paths to healing, understanding, and stability are rarely straightforward, and this episode underscored just how intricate and demanding these journeys can be. The open ends and unresolved conflicts promise more drama and significant developments in future episodes.

Want more of the continuing sagas and emotional rollercoasters? New episodes of Teen Mom OG air Tuesdays at 8pm on MTV. Don’t miss out on the next chapter of these unforgettable stories.