Jenelle Evans is reflecting on a new chapter in her son's life journey. Five days after news broke that her 16-year-old son, Jace—whom she shares with her ex-partner Andrew Lewis—had embarked on a new living arrangement with relatives in North Carolina, the Teen Mom star opened up about her feelings regarding his changed circumstances on her Instagram Story on August 27.
"This marks a full-circle moment, and I sincerely hope Jace can embark on a path of change and adhere to the rules," penned Jenelle, who is also the mother of Kaiser, 11, with ex-partner Nathan Griffith, and Ensley, 8, with ex-partner David Eason. "Yet, I have two other young children to consider and prioritize, ensuring their well-being."
The 33-year-old further shared her insights into how Jace's journey mirrors her own tumultuous relationship with her mother, Barbara Evans, who took care of Jace for more than a decade until 2023. "His upbringing, under my mother's roof, has shaped him in specific ways," Jenelle revealed in another slide. "I had to unlearn my natural tendency to overreact and instead learned to sit back, listen, and curb my profanity-laden vocabulary—a habit I grew up with and am still working to overcome. I had to break the familial cycle, and now, I see it repeating itself."
Beyond addressing Jace's move, the seasoned reality TV star also responded to text messages leaked by her son earlier that month, cautioning that they were "far from a comprehensive conversation." In the screenshots shared by the teenager, who claimed his mother was "unstable," Jenelle was allegedly seen writing, "You're the one threatening to have my custody taken away. Fuck you. You won't receive another thing from me, not even a phone."
Following the leak, Jenelle responded, explaining that managing Jace's medical diagnoses, including ADHD, major depressive disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder, has been "far from easy," yet she has "relentlessly fought on."
"My children are my entire universe," she penned on her Instagram Story on August 19. "Everything I undertake is aimed at protecting, guiding, and loving them." "Like any parent, I establish rules and boundaries, which isn't always easy," Jenelle continued. "I will unwaveringly stand by Jace, regardless of the challenges we face, and I am committed to continuously striving to be the best mother I can be to all three of my children."
