Collin Gosselin Calls Jon Gosselin's Ex Colleen Conrad His "Real Mom"

Collin Gosselin Praises Jon Gosselin's Ex Colleen Conrad as "Real Mom"

Collin Gosselin is celebrating an important person in his life.

Shortly after announcing his upcoming memoir, the son of Jon Gosselin and his ex-wife Kate Gosselin, shared a heartfelt tribute to his dad's ex-girlfriend Colleen Conrad on her birthday, praising her as his "real mom."

"I didn't plan this at all, but coincidentally on the day of the official announcement of my book, it is Colleen’s birthday," Collin wrote in a June 17 Instagram post alongside a sweet photo of himself and Colleen. "She is the strongest woman I know, who stepped in at the toughest part of my life and CHOSE to be a mother to me."

"Happy birthday to my wonderful, hardworking, passionate, and I could go on… to my real mom," the 22-year-old continued. "I love you so much. Also I had to add a Rascal Flatts song, because we always sing Rascal Flatts songs together."

Collin went on to further express his love for Colleen—who dated his father from 2014 to 2021—in a comment on his post, writing, "The love you feel for a mom you were given is incredible. But the love you feel for a mom that CHOSE you is something so powerful. I am so fortunate @colleen.conrad122 I love you so much."

In the years since the TLC alum's father—dad to his and Kate’s sextuplets Collin, Alexis Gosselin, Leah Gosselin, Joel Gosselin, Hannah Gosselin and Aaden Gosselin as well as 25-year-old twins Mady Gosselin and Cara Gosselin—and his ex-girlfriend broke up, Colleen has remained close with Collin.

In fact, Colleen spoke out in defense of Collin in August 2023 during a public back and forth between him and estranged mom Kate, during which the pair disputed his claim that she was behind his estrangement from several of his siblings. (Jon had custody of Collin and sister Hannah, while Kate had custody of the rest of their siblings.)

After Kate alleged that Collin exhibited "violent behavior" toward his family and has "multiple psychiatric diagnoses," Colleen clapped back at the "derogatory statements" in a lengthy Instagram statement.

Instagram/Collin Gosselin

"These statements were made by family members who have been estranged from his life since he was 12," she wrote in part. "Collin is not only someone I love dearly but has also been a significant figure in my family's life."

"After Jon and I separated, and Jon moved out, Collin lived with me until he turned 18 so I saw him every day. He thrived and was always kind and respectful," she added. "He never talked back to me. He was never violent and is far from being considered dangerous. He is there for me when I need him, even bringing me white roses every time he visits."

As Collin mentioned in his tribute to Colleen on June 17, he is set to relive that time in his life—not to mention his upbringing on Jon & Kate Plus 8—in the forthcoming memoir In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood.

"My life was always broadcast to millions, but what was actually happening in my life was never shown—in fact, much of it was deliberately kept hidden,” Collin told Us Weekly in a statement published June 17. “For years, other people told my story through headlines, television episodes and public speculation."

“The book is about truth, survival, resilience and finding my voice after years of being silenced,” he continued. “If my story helps even one person feel less alone or gives them the courage to tell their own, then every difficult page was worth writing.”

E! News reached out to reps for Jon and Kate regarding Collin’s statements and memoir but has not yet heard back.

For more on the Gosselin family, read on.

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App