AN ACCIDENTAL MOTHER
This
is the story of Kate and Michael. He was a sweet young boy, neglected by his
birth mother and now living with his dad.
Michael’s
father, Kate’s boyfriend, allowed Kate to become Michael’s mother—to care for
him and help raise him and to blossom in her unexpected new role. But when they
split up after six years, despite his early assurances to the contrary, the
father refused Kate access to the child. She had no rights. She was devastated.
This
is the story of Kate and Michael. He was a sweet young boy, neglected by his
birth mother and now living with his dad.
Michael’s
father, Kate’s boyfriend, allowed Kate to become Michael’s mother—to care for
him and help raise him and to blossom in her unexpected new role. But when they
split up after six years, despite his early assurances to the contrary, the
father refused Kate access to the child. She had no rights. She was devastated.
And she always will
be.
- Unbridled Books
- Hardcover
- September 2011
- 224 Pages
- 9781609530587
Buy the Book
$23.95
About Katherine Anne Kindred
Katherine Anne Kindred has been previously published in the Literary Journal Memoir (and). She lives in Phoenix with her dog, Sophie. This is her first book.
Praise
“Will make you ponder on your own family and things we take for granted”—Examiner.com
“A heartfelt book about love and loss, and it’s guaranteed to touch you and make you think about what constitutes ‘parental rights.'”—Booking Mama
“A very poignant, touching memoir about a very special relationship. My heart goes out to Kate, and to Michael.”—McGuffy’s Reader
“In this slim volume, she retells the story of her falling in love, not with Jim, but with Michael and motherhood, and how this small child touched her heart indelibly. Kate’s brokenness and aching resonates on every page. Even the silly stories in alternating chapters are filled with the weight of the knowledge that they are coming to an end all too soon. This story speaks to the pain of anyone who has every loved a child without any blood shared, and the failure of the courts to recognize these connections. This is not an easy read, but it is a worthwhile one that will break readers’ hearts and get them thinking.”—Christy’s Book Blog
Discussion Questions
How do you define “motherhood” or what and who mothers are?
How did the inclusion of Michael’s pictures add to the telling of this story?
Do you think stories like Kate’s could generate discussion about parental rights? About children’s rights?
If you are a mother, what funny stories like Kate’s are the ones you want to remember about your own children?
Whose story is this?
Is this a book about grief?
Kate says she wrote this memoir with the hope Michael will read it one day and know that she loves him and didn’t abandon him. Do you think she will see him again?
Is this a memoir about family more than motherhood?
Do you think Kate’s story is unusual, or increasingly common?
How was Kate’s motherhood accidental, and how was it not?