Final answer:
In the statement 'She embraced the opportunity and her children,' a metaphor is used to compare the act of embracing her children with the act of embracing an opportunity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rhetorical device used in the statement 'She embraced the opportunity and her children.' is a metaphor. A metaphor directly compares two things that are essentially different but have some commonalities, without using the words 'like' or 'as'. This comparison suggests that the act of embracing her children is likened to the act of embracing the opportunity, implying a deep affection and readiness to accept both.