In early 2020, Myka and James Stauffer have been on prime of the influencer world. That they had a really profitable household weblog the place they shared their parenting ups and downs surrounded by their 5 lovely kids – Kova, Jaka, Radley, Onyx and Huxley.
Myka was thought of one of many OG mummy bloggers and other people seemed as much as the picture-perfect household, lapping of their content material and movies.
Nevertheless, in 2020, the couple’s son, Huxley, stopped showing in any movies or posts. It was then revealed that Myka and James, who adopted Huxley from China three years prior, had ‘rehomed’ him.
The choice not solely prompted intense backlash but in addition ended their profession.
The Stauffer’s Return
Now, 4 years later, the Stauffers are again entrance and centre in a three-part docuseries. An Replace on Our Household takes its title from the title the Stauffers used on their notorious YouTube video during which they revealed Huxley’s destiny.
Whereas the docuseries will handle the ups and downs of the vlogging trade normally, there’s a concentrate on what occurred with Huxley.
Huxley’s adoption
In 2016, Myka and James and their three kids (Onyx wasn’t born but) have been regulars on YouTube. The couple introduced they might welcome one other child to the household very quickly due to worldwide adoption.
Huxley was two years outdated when he was adopted from China and the couple shared his adoption journey recurrently. The little boy settled into the household life-style and was recurrently seen within the household vlogs.
What occurred to Huxley?
In 2019, Myka confessed that life with Huxley wasn’t what she was anticipating. Myka wrote a chunk for Parade journal sharing that there had been some inaccuracies about Huxley’s wants, which they solely found after bringing Huxley to the US.
“After we got here dwelling, we skilled a giant shock with inaccurate file data,” she wrote. “Our son ended up having a stroke in utero, has stage 3 autism, and sensory processing dysfunction. It took a whole lot of time to course of and to readjust to his new prognosis. We spent 10 months making ready for mind tumours and by no means as soon as did I examine autism or stroke injury — it was a curve ball.”
“Worldwide adoption, typically there’s unknowns and issues that aren’t clear on file,” James added. “And as soon as Huxley got here dwelling there was much more particular wants that we weren’t conscious of and that we weren’t informed.”
Myka additionally acknowledged that Huxley had seen a number of medical professionals over the previous two years, was in utilized behaviour evaluation (ABA) remedy and was “doing so effectively”.
“New endlessly household”
In February 2020, Myka shared extra perception into their lives.
“The final couple days have been exhausting. I don’t wish to sugarcoat something. We’ve got had a whole lot of meltdowns, and many behaviours which have had us on our knees begging God for steerage!
I want autism and adoption trauma had a guide to direct you thru all of it.”
In March 2020, Myka posted her ultimate picture of Huxley and shortly after, followers began to ask questions on the place he was.
In Could 2020, Myka revealed that Huxley had discovered a “new endlessly household” with the assistance of the adoption company. He was not a part of the Stauffer household.
“They discovered anyone that they felt could be in the end the very best match and he’s thriving, he’s very completely happy, he’s doing very effectively and his new mommy has medical skilled coaching and it’s a excellent match,” Myka stated.
Myka confessed that the choice to rehome her son was extremely exhausting, leaving her feeling like a failure as a mum.
“For us, it’s been actually exhausting listening to from the medical professionals, a whole lot of their suggestions, and issues which were upsetting. We’ve by no means wished to be on this place. And we’ve been attempting to get his wants met and assist him out as a lot as doable, we actually love him.”
The backlash
The backlash occurred instantly with customers accusing the Stauffers of utilizing Huxley for likes, clicks and reward.
In June 2020, Myka apologised for all of the damage she had prompted.
“This determination has prompted so many individuals heartbreak and I’m sorry for letting down so many ladies that seemed as much as me as a mom. I’m sorry for the confusion, and ache I’ve prompted, and I’m sorry for not having the ability to inform extra of my story from the start.
I might have by no means anticipated the incidents which occurred on a non-public stage to ever have occurred, and I used to be attempting my finest to navigate the toughest factor I’ve ever been by means of. I can’t say I want this by no means occurred as a result of I’m nonetheless so glad Huxley is right here and getting all the assist he wants. I additionally know that regardless that he’s happier in his new dwelling and doing higher that he nonetheless skilled trauma and I’m sorry, no adoptee deserves any extra trauma.
We love Huxley and know that this was the suitable determination for him and his future.”
The place are the Stauffer’s now?
Following the controversy, the household deleted their YouTube channel and her final submit on Instagram is from 2020. James nonetheless has a channel referred to as Stauffer Storage however the channel doesn’t function any of the Stauffer kids.
The household have been successfully cancelled, which is likely one of the fundamental matters of dialog within the new docuseries.
The place is Huxley now?
In the meantime, Huxley’s new mom is an accessible training trainer and adjusted his title to Yue Lin after his adoption in 2020. She continues to share pictures of him on Instagram, the place he’s seen surrounded by his adoptive and foster siblings.
