Amber Portwood's Daughter Leah Expresses Desire for Stepmom Kristina Shirley to Adopt Her

Leah Shirley, 16, reveals her wish for adoption by her stepmother, citing a closer bond and Kristina's role as her primary maternal figure since childhood.

• Leah Shirley expressed her desire for her stepmother, Kristina Shirley, to adopt her during an episode of 'Teen Mom: The Next Chapter' aired on February 27, 2025.
• Leah shared that Kristina has been a consistent maternal figure in her life since kindergarten, unlike her biological mother, Amber Portwood, who has faced mental health and legal challenges over the years.
• Leah's father, Gary Shirley, supports her desire but has cautioned her to consider the emotional impact this decision might have on Amber Portwood.
• Amber Portwood has previously acknowledged her struggles with maintaining a close relationship with Leah, attributing it partly to her mental health issues, including a bipolar disorder diagnosis.
• Leah admitted she has not communicated her feelings directly to Amber, fearing the emotional difficulty of such a conversation, and noted the distant nature of their current relationship.

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