Kate Gosselin Talks ‘Missing’ Son Collin, Defends Herself Against Harsh Criticism [Video]


Kate Gosselin made a name for herself as a controversial reality TV maven over 10 years ago; now the spotlight has gotten harsh as ex-husband Jon and others question her ability to parent her eight kids. The new season of Kate Gosselin’s hit TLC show Kate Plus 8 is in its fifth season, and many changes have taken place in the family’s life recently, changes much more challenging than the Gosselins faced when they were a young family full of toddlers.

Kate Gosselin’s eight kids were tiny when she and her ex-husband Jon Gosselin got on board with TLC’s Jon & Kate Plus 8, but with twins and sextuplets, the pair already had their hands full. Now, a decade later, twins Mady and Cara are 16-years-old, and the sextuplets, Leah, Hannah, Alexis, Joel, Aaden, and Collin, are 12.

Not only that, Kate Gosselin is now pretty much doing this parenting thing on her own, reports ABC News, following her 2009 divorce from Jon. In fact, the difference between then and now is so complete, Kate Gosselin says she doesn’t even really know the old her anymore.

“I almost don’t even know her… now it’s like the wisdom, the experience, it makes you really a better parent.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF7UeuRFGPg

As has been her wont in life for the last 12 years, recently, Kate Gosselin’s life has been all about those eight kids of hers. And, like many stars who air their private lives for public consumption, Kate has found herself on the receiving end of a lot of criticism in the last few months. Much of it having to do with her son, Collin.

According to Kate Gosselin, her 12-year-old son is troubled and has needed some extra help and support in the last year or so. For months, Kate tried to deal with Collin’s needs at home amid swirling gossip Kate Gosselin’s son had been the victim of abuse and/or had been acting out violently at home, putting his siblings at risk.

As Hollywood Life reports, Kate Gosselin set the record straight in August of this year, telling the public that had watched her kids grow from toddlers to pre-teens what was really going on in Collin’s life. She admitted that Collin Gosselin is no longer living at home, revealing that his social and educational challenges made keeping him with the rest of the kids “not even really a choice.”

“[There’s] a fairly fluid diagnosis of what those needs are, but he needs to learn certain strategies to help him deal with things. This has been a struggle we’ve had for a very long time.”

In November, Daily Mail reported that Collin had reported to the staff at his new treatment center home, the location of which has never been disclosed, that he had been abused by mom Kate Gosselin. In that incident, an investigation into the possible abuse was allegedly opened, and Kate’s ex-husband (who claims to have been denied access to son Collin for two years) was also reportedly notified.

According to Kate Gosselin’s newest interview, those claims of abuse are “unfounded.”

“I’m in the public eye. I have been investigated many times… It’s always unfounded obviously.”

Kate also addressed Jon’s claims, which have seemingly dogged her in one way or another since the pair’s highly-publicized split, saying that she’s simply following the orders of the court when it comes to talking about her kids’ custody and care in excessive detail. Despite rumors that Collin Gosselin is “missing,” Kate says that her son is in good hands, and she doesn’t care what Jon has to say about the arrangement.

“I’ve known all along where he is. But the world doesn’t know. And I’ll leave it at that…I’m really focused less on what Jon has to say… I don’t really pay attention to be honest.”

Despite Kate Gosselin’s latest words, Jon Gosselin (via his legal counsel) says that Kate isn’t telling the whole truth.

“The whole story is not being told… [Jon] is a loving and caring father who is acting within the scope of the law to do what is best for his kids.”

Overall, Kate doesn’t seem to be daunted by the gossip and bad press leading up to the November 22 premiere date of Kate Plus 8 Season 5. Rather, she appears to be looking on the bright side of 10 years of her life (good and bad) being illuminated by the Hollywood spotlight.

“I wanted those moments documented — and got ten years worth. And I will never ever regret that.”

What do you think? Are you a fan of Kate Plus 8? Do you think it’s okay for Kate to (allegedly) keep her son Collin away from his dad? What are your thoughts on Kate Gosselin and her parenting style?

[Featured Image by Angela Weiss/Getty Images]

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