The Powerful Bond: Unveiling the Untold Story Behind Kate Gosselin's Unbreakable Connection with Son Collin
Exploring Kate Gosselin's tumultuous journey with her son Collin - from strained relations to the current 'no contact' situation Dive into their ups and downs spanning over a decade, shedding light on their evolving bond
Kate Gosselin and her son Collin have experienced various challenges throughout their journey. In 2004, the Kate Plus Date celebrity had a set of sextuplet siblings — Alexis, Hannah, Aaden, Leah, and Joel — with her former spouse, Jon Gosselin. These young ones joined the twins Madelyn and Cara, who were born four years before.
The reality stars, who got married in 1999, divorced ten years later. Although they were granted joint physical custody of their children, Kate was awarded sole legal custody of all eight kids. (According to The Center for Family Law, legal custody refers to the rights and responsibilities of decision-making for a child, while physical custody refers to which parent the child is physically with at any given time.)
In 2016, Kate disclosed that she had sent Collin to Fairmont Behavioral Health Institute due to behavioral issues. (Jon later stated to the Daily Mail: "Apart from ADHD, which is very common, Collin has not been diagnosed with any known medical condition.") In 2018, Jon had Collin taken out of the facility, and now both Collin and Hannah reside with their father.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at Kate and Collin’s relationship over the years, from handwritten letters to shady Mother’s Day messages:
Credit: Shutterstock; Courtesy Jon Gosselin/Instagram
Everything We Know About Kate Gosselin's Relationship With Son Collin
Kate Gosselin and her son Collin have experienced various challenges and setbacks throughout their lives. In 2004, the Kate Plus Date celebrity welcomed Collin and his sextuplet siblings, namely Alexis, Hannah, Aaden, Leah, and Joel, with her former spouse Jon Gosselin. These young ones joined the twins Madelyn and Cara, who were born four years prior.
After tying the knot in 1999, the reality stars decided to end their marriage ten years later. Following the separation, the former couple agreed to share physical custody of their children, but Kate was granted legal custody of all eight kids. According to The Center for Family Law, legal custody refers to the rights and responsibilities of making decisions for a child, while physical custody determines which parent the child is physically with.
In 2016, Kate disclosed that she had enrolled Collin at the Fairmont Behavioral Health Institute to address his behavioral issues. However, Jon later clarified to the Daily Mail that apart from having ADHD, which is quite common, Collin has not been diagnosed with any other known medical condition. Eventually, in 2018, Jon had the teenager discharged from the facility, and now Collin and Hannah reside with their father.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at Kate and Collin’s relationship over the years, from handwritten letters to shady Mother’s Day messages:
Credit: Shutterstock
December 2009
The author of The Multiple Blessings was awarded complete legal custody of Collin and his siblings in 2009. As per her lawyer, she will maintain her current residence with all eight of her children in the former marital home.
Credit: Courtesy Jon Gosselin/Instagram
November 2016
When Kate revealed her son was in a special needs institution, her ex's lawyer told Us, "The whole story is not being told."
Credit: Courtesy Jon Gosselin/Instagram
November 2018
Jon and Hannah visited Collin at the Fairmont Behavioral Health Institute, the same month that the DJ filed for full physical and legal custody of his son.
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
December 2018
Jon was awarded full physical and legal custody after Kate failed to appear in court. Despite her request to postpone the court date, which was denied, the author of Eight Little Faces was unable to attend the proceedings.
Credit: Courtesy Jon Gosselin/Instagram
February 2020
Kate's alleged lack of contact with [Collin] was disclosed by Jon during an episode of the "First Class Fatherhood" podcast. He mentioned that the current situation is quite tumultuous since Collin has no contact with his siblings, unlike Hannah who maintains contact with them. This unfortunate scenario involves both parental alienation and sibling alienation.
Credit: Courtesy Jon Gosselin/Instagram
September 2019
Collin's father, in an interview with DailyMailTV, revealed that his son had been confined in a treatment center for three years, describing it as an inhumane experience.
Jon disclosed a letter which he claims his son had written to him. The note expressed Collin's love for his father and his desire to live with him despite his mother's opposition. Collin insisted that he should have a say in his own living situation since he is now old enough. He also alleged that his mother had been abusive towards him after he left his father's house. Collin pleaded with his father to take the matter to court and emphasized his reliance on him as his father and savior. He implored his father to help him escape the current situation and meet Jon's girlfriend, Colleen. In closing, Collin expressed his love for his father and urgently requested his immediate assistance.
Credit: Shutterstock; Courtesy Jon Gosselin/Instagram
May 2020
Collin seemed to subtly show his appreciation for his mom on Mother's Day by posting a heartfelt message to Conrad on Instagram. "So today is Mother's Day, a day to express our love for our mothers, but I don't think the title 'mother' can fully encompass all that Colleen has done for me," he expressed. "Sure, a mother provides clothes and prepares meals for her children, but it's an incomparable feeling when your mother or mother figure is also your closest confidant and unwavering supporter, the one who shares inside jokes and laughter that only you two understand."
The teenager expressed, "Calling it Mother's Day wouldn't suffice, Colleen. You mean much more to me than just a mother. You are a guiding force and a beacon of light in my life. A mere 'thank you' is inadequate to express my gratitude. I have an immense amount of love for you, and you have done so much for me that you have earned the title of my strong, happy, loving, and extraordinary maternal figure. You are truly irreplaceable. Words cannot convey how much I appreciate you, Colleen. I love you deeply!"
Credit: Shutterstock; Courtesy Jon Gosselin/Instagram
May 2020
In celebration of her sextuplets turning 16, Kate took to social media to express her heartfelt wishes. Accompanying her message was an Instagram post complete with the caption: "Wishing a very Happy 16th Birthday to my incredibly special set of ‘Hershey Kisses', the endearing term they were lovingly referred to at birth! My love for each and every one of you is immeasurable! You have brought an abundance of sweetness into my life!"
Credit: Courtesy Collin Gosselin/Instagram
September 2020
Kate intervened when Collin accused Jon of abuse in a now-deleted Instagram post in September 2020. Speaking to People magazine, she strongly emphasized, "Physically harming your children by punching or kicking them is absolutely unacceptable. I will not accept any justifications or excuses, not from Jon, not from the local authorities, and not from the court system whose responsibility is to protect the best interests of my children. According to the child abuse law, PA 23, section 8i explicitly defines child abuse, and topping that list is the act of kicking a child. There are no exceptions."
The Berks County Children & Youth Services subsequently launched an investigation into Jon. District Attorney John Adams told Us at the time that no charges had been filed against Jon.
Credit: Courtesy of Jon Gosselin/Instagram ; Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
November 2022
In a seldom seen interview, Collin revealed how his stay at Fairmont Behavioral Health Institute severed his connection with his mother. "Following my time there, our relationship ceased to exist," he shared with Entertainment Tonight. "Even prior to that, our relationship was already strained, and I believe that only served to further deteriorate it."
Collin did not completely dismiss the possibility of reconciling, stating, "It is regrettable that we did not have a relationship. I believe every son desires a connection with their mother. However, I am currently thriving."
Credit: Courtesy of Collin Gosselin/Instagram
June 2023
After graduating from high school, Collin gave special shout-outs to specific family members — but did not mention mom Kate.
“I am sincerely grateful to my incredible sister, Hannah, for standing by my side and providing unwavering support. She holds the top spot in my heart," expressed Collin in his Instagram post. "A heartfelt thanks goes to my father, who has imparted invaluable lessons on overcoming challenges and bouncing back with resilience. Dad, I appreciate your unwavering support for my choices and your unwavering presence, even when I take on more than I can handle." He also extended his gratitude to Jon's former girlfriend, Colleen Conrad.
Credit: Youtube
July 2023
Collin and Hannah were featured on Vice TV's Dark Side of the 2000s, discussing Collin's experience of being "isolated" from his siblings during his upbringing.
"I am aware that my mother was dealing with numerous challenges. A divorce and various other difficult situations that cannot be overlooked," Collin expressed. "I believe she needed an outlet for her anger and frustration, and unfortunately, that outlet became me. I was always present and in her line of sight, so she directed her emotions towards me."
Hannah explained, "He was never allowed to join us when we played outside, and he had separate meal times from us." She observed, "It seemed like there wasn't any effort made in teaching him about acceptable and unacceptable behavior at home."
