Teen Mom Stars Catelynn and Tyler Apologize for the Texting Scandal

Hi all, The long awaited interview is here. Did they apologize? Yes, but I know many are still going to have an issue with it. Just remember they are still processing and starting to do the work to figure out how to heal and move forward. _________________________________________

In this raw, emotional episode, Teen Mom’s Catelynn and Tyler sit down with Melissa Guida-Richards and Dr. Abby Hasberry, LMFT, to share their immediate thoughts since shocking allegations surfaced about inappropriate contact with a minor. They address the rumors, catfishing, and the painful fallout from trying to reconnect with their biological daughter.

 

In this episode we dive into:

-The truth behind the leaked messages

-How grief and desperation fueled their actions

-What really happened with the supposed “minors”

-The trauma birth parents and adoptees carry

-Why accountability and nuance matter _______________________________________________

Also, please pay attention to the video so you can see important information included from messages. I know this has been very controversial, enough so that I have received thr3ats, and overall harassment from within and outside the adoption community, so I want to be very clear about my intentions.

As an adoption educator who has worked with numerous families over the years, I have seen the, extraordinary lengths that some birth parents go to for contact. I've seen folk say they'll sneak phones to their biological children, or even admit if they had an opportunity they would take them from their adoptive family. Is this okay? NO, not at all. However, we cannot teach birth parents how to cope in a healthy way, and keep communication open in a safe way that doesn't cross boundaries, unless we address why this happened in the first place.

Think of it like a dad r0bbing a pharmacy. Is this okay? No. Did he harm people? Most likely.

But does it change things knowing that he needed to get insulin for his diabetic doctor who would not survive without it.

Now, I know, I know. Many will say, oh well it wasn't that serious. And I have to remind you, that to YOU, it wasn't. Feelings are not facts. Trauma combined with a bombardment of shocking information, clearly led to reckless choices. Talking to an anonymous person let alone two and discussing information about their bio daughter. Remember that regardless of your opinions on them, they are still in this world navigating life and relationships like us all. "Cancelling" them and attacking their friends will not change that. To actually make progress and help more children we need to work together towards ethical and child centered practices. You do not have to communicate or be involved in this process, but it does not mean that others who choose to are unsafe adults.

Thanks for listening and taking everything into consideration. Stay tuned for more as we wait for the amazing Sleuth, Riley Lively, to unveil more information about this situation. Please check out our upcoming Adoption Changemaker Conference, on Nov 8th, 2025 in NYC.

Adoption Changemakers is the conference the adoption industry doesn’t want you to see. We’ve started the conversation—now we need your help to keep the momentum going and make real change, by bringing diverse voices across the constellation.

A majority of the proceeds will be DONATED to a nonprofit that provides mentoring for adoptees and foster youth. The rest will pay for travel/hotel costs for those in the adoption constellation that need it, and then if we have any left over it will be used for next years conference!

Get tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/adoption-changemaker-conference-tickets-1368767834439?aff=oddtdtcreator

For more about Abby, please check out, https://adoptionnarrativeshift.com

You can listen to Catelynn and Tylers, here:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL88xhQ-tUlW63kvIbBdHol9Iu4DZ2I_Pc&si=kah4Wnge8cM3bHrc

________________________________________________________RESOURCES: Adoption and Trauma: Risks, Recovery, and the Lived Experience of Adoption:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8926933/#R43

Trauma for birth parents: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0011000004265961

https://www.familyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/csi_drustrup_hidden_impact_of_adoption.pdf

https://www.originscanada.org/adoptiontrauma2/trauma_to_surrendering_mothers/adoption-trauma-the-damage-to-relinquishing-mothers/

Adoption competent therapists: https://adoptionsupport.org/national-directory/

IMPORTANT

NOTE: If you are a child and feel uncomfortable with interactions with adults, please tell a TRUSTED ADULT ASAP (teacher, babysitter, parents, aunt/uncle, police officer)