In early 2020, Myka and James Stauffer have been on high of the influencer world. They’d a really profitable household weblog the place they shared their parenting ups and downs surrounded by their 5 lovely youngsters – Kova, Jaka, Radley, Onyx and Huxley.
Myka was thought of one of many OG mummy bloggers and other people regarded as much as the picture-perfect household, lapping of their content material and movies.
Nonetheless, 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 brought on 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 through which they revealed Huxley’s destiny.
Whereas the docuseries will tackle the ups and downs of the vlogging business on the whole, there’s a give attention to what occurred with Huxley.
Huxley’s adoption
In 2016, Myka and James and their three youngsters (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 previous when he was adopted from China and the couple shared his adoption journey usually. The little boy settled into the household way of life and was usually 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 bit for Parade journal sharing that there had been some inaccuracies about Huxley’s wants, which they solely found after bringing Huxley to the US.
“Once we got here residence, we skilled a giant shock with inaccurate file data,” she wrote. “Our son ended up having a stroke in utero, has degree 3 autism, and sensory processing dysfunction. It took loads of time to course of and to readjust to his new analysis. We spent 10 months making ready for mind tumours and by no means as soon as did I examine autism or stroke harm — 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 residence there was much more particular wants that we weren’t conscious of and that we weren’t instructed.”
Myka additionally said 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 nicely”.
“New ceaselessly household”
In February 2020, Myka shared extra perception into their lives.
“The final couple days have been arduous. I don’t need to sugarcoat something. We’ve had loads of meltdowns, and plenty of behaviours which have had us on our knees begging God for steering!
I want autism and adoption trauma had a guide to direct you thru all of it.”
In March 2020, Myka posted her closing picture of Huxley and shortly after, followers began to ask questions on the place he was.
In Might 2020, Myka revealed that Huxley had discovered a “new ceaselessly household” with the assistance of the adoption company. He was not a part of the Stauffer household.
“They discovered someone that they felt can be finally one of the best match and he’s thriving, he’s very completely satisfied, he’s doing very nicely and his new mommy has medical skilled coaching and it’s a superb match,” Myka stated.
Myka confessed that the choice to rehome her son was extremely arduous, leaving her feeling like a failure as a mum.
“For us, it’s been actually arduous listening to from the medical professionals, loads of their suggestions, and issues which have been upsetting. We’ve by no means needed to be on this place. And we’ve been making an attempt to get his wants met and assist him out as a lot as potential, we really 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 brought on.
“This determination has brought on so many individuals heartbreak and I’m sorry for letting down so many ladies that regarded as much as me as a mom. I’m sorry for the confusion, and ache I’ve brought on, and I’m sorry for not with the ability to inform extra of my story from the start.
I may have by no means anticipated the incidents which occurred on a personal degree to ever have occurred, and I used to be making an attempt my greatest to navigate the toughest factor I’ve ever been by way 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 residence 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 correct 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 often known as Stauffer Storage however the channel doesn’t characteristic any of the Stauffer youngsters.
The household have been successfully cancelled, which is among the major 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 images of him on Instagram, the place he’s seen surrounded by his adoptive and foster siblings.
