Miss Landers' Book Club Reviews: The Kids Are All Right: a Memoir by Diana Welch, Liz Welch, Amanda Welch, Dan Welch (2009)

The following post is associated with the From Left To Write Book Club which, unlike Miss Landers' Book Club's other book postings, are inspired writings and not actual book reviews.

In the book The Kids Are All Right, the Welch children lead an idyllic life as the offspring of a beautiful soap opera star and a handsome businessman. When their father mysteriously dies leaving them 1.2 million dollars in debt, the blow is crushing. What makes matters worse is that their mother is diagnosed with cancer and soon passes away also. Unfortunately, inadequate preparations were made for placing the children with guardians and they were separated from each other. The Welches tell their story, as each recalls it, in this collective and painfully honest memoir.

My mother had four children, I being the third and the result of a diaphragm failure. I did have some desirable qualities that my mother appreciated. I arrived quickly after she went into labor and was the smallest baby she had. Her other children are all brunettes. I am the only one with red hair which was sort of a novelty also.

Me On My First Christmas

Mother was overwhelmed with her children, at least the last two. She has told me this many times. My younger brother was born 14 months after me. Two unexpected babies in cloth diapers without an automatic washer would be rather annoying.

My older sister Marcia was given the task of looking after me in my earliest years. We shared a room, had a few matching outfits and went places together after my sister was out of school for the day. I kind of liked this arrangement but I am not sure my sister did. The early lines between sisterhood and motherhood were blurred for me. My mother even sent me to camp at age eight and arranged for my sister to be my counselor. Being my counselor meant we were in the same cabin together and she could tell me what to do. No problem there, although I thought she was mean to me and I did not want to go to camp with her again.

Marcia, Me, Larry and Ronnie

Marcia stayed around until I was nine and then she left home for good. With Marcia gone,  my mother resumed complete responsibility for raising her children. During the 1960s, it was common for doctors to provide prescriptions for Valium to women with nervous tension. My mother had nervous tension.

On Mother's Day each year I send a card to my mother and one to my sister. The one to my sister usually reads, "You've been like a mother to me."  My sister is somewhat sarcastic about my mother's day cards as she is not old enough to have been my mother.  However the sentiment is mostly true, and I like to send her a card.

My brothers and I get along well. My sister and my younger brother Larry do not get along at all. On holidays the siblings and my 89 year old mother still get together as a family when we are able. When my mother does pass away, I doubt if there will be a time when the kids will gather together again for a holiday. The animosity between Marcia and Larry is too great, too ingrained.

Mothers are the glue that holds a family together.

This post was inspired by the book The Kids Are All Right, which was given to me free of charge and without obligation by the publisher as a member of the From Left to Write book club writers group. You can read what other book club members wrote about The Kids Are All Right by visiting From Left to Write.