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The Youtuber spoke out in an Instagram post, responding to the ‘uproar’ her decision caused
When popular parenting vlogger Myka Stauffer announced she had found a new home for her adopted son, many people criticised her decision.
She and her husband James have four biological children together, and they adopted a fifth child from China, named Huxley, almost three years ago.
When fans started noticing that Huxley was missing from her recent YouTube videos, they asked Stauffer where he was. The mom responded with a video, saying that Huxley had been placed with a new family who was more equipped to handle his needs.
“Once Huxley came home, there was a lot more special needs that we weren’t aware of, and that we were not told,” she said. “There wasn’t a minute that we didn’t try our hardest. Numerous medical professionals have felt that he needed a different fit, and that [with] his medical needs, he needed more.”
The parents faced backlash from their decision and in response, Stauffer has issued an apologetic statement.
In a lengthy Instagram post, she says she takes “full responsibility for all of the hurt” she caused and apologises for “being so naive” about the adoption process.
“This decision has caused so many people heartbreak and I’m sorry for letting down so many women that looked up to me as a mother,” she wrote. “I apologise for being so naive when I started the adoption process, I was not selective or fully equipped or prepared.”
The Youtuber goes on to explain that she did not have adequate training to be an adoptive parent. The adoption agency she used only required “one day of watching at home online video training” to receive a Hague adoption certification.
“I was naive, foolish and arrogant”
However, although the mother is extremely apologetic, she does not fully regret her decision.
“I can’t say I wish this never happened because I’m still so glad Huxley is here and getting all of the help he needs.” Stauffer added that Huxley is “happier in his new home and doing better” after experiencing “trauma”.
“I’m sorry, no adoptee deserves any more trauma. I wanted to help so bad,” she said. “For this, I was naive, foolish and arrogant.”
She ended her letter by addressing the accusations of her and her husband exploiting Huxley and using his story for financial gain.
“To debunk a couple of rumours, we did not adopt a child to gain wealth,” she wrote. “While we did receive a small portion of money from videos featuring Huxley and his journey, every penny and much more went back into his care.
“Getting Huxley the care and services he needed was very expensive and we made sure he got every service and resource we could possibly find.
“We are not under any kind of investigation,” she explained. “We love Huxley and know that this was the right decision for him and his future. Praying that Huxley only has the best future in the entire world.”
Feature image: Instagram/@mykastauffer
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