Michael Jackson's Kids Adjusting to Life Without Dad

By PopEater Staff Posted Jun 25th 2010 12:00AM

Before Michael Jackson's death, most people would never have recognized his children -- Prince, Paris and Blanket. The 'Thriller' singer had a unique way of hiding his kids, employing an array of masks, veils and sheets to obscure their faces, which remained a mystery until Jackson's memorial last July.

Now, one year after the King of Pop's passing, his children are free to roam in public and be "normal" kids. Even though they are under the care of their grandmother, Katherine Jackson, they are still learning to cope with a very different lifestyle and adjusting to life without a father.

Two months after Jackson's death, Katherine was awarded custody of the three children. However, life still seems isolated after all this time.

"They don't have any friends. They don't go to school, they have private lessons at home -- but that will change in September, when they are due to enroll at private college ... To them, it's normal, it's the life they have known. They have a certain time to go to bed, then they get up and get dressed for lessons. They practice karate and swim, which they love," Katherine recently told UK's Mirror.

"The children are seemingly as normal as normal can be under pretty extraordinary circumstances," Katherine's lawyer, Adam Streisand, told The Associated Press.

In January, Jackson's two oldest children accepted his lifetime achievement award at the Grammys. "We're proud to be here to accept this award on behalf of our father, Michael Jackson," said Prince, trying to hold it together. "First, we'd like to thank God for watching over us for these past seven months and our grandma and grandpa for their love and support. We'd also like to thank the fans. Our father loved you so much since you were always there for him."

"Daddy was supposed to be here. Daddy was gonna perform, but he couldn't perform last year," said a teary Paris. "Thank you, we love you, Daddy."

La Toya Jackson told UK's Mirror that "it's so painful" to watch the kids have to deal with such a tragedy. Of Paris, La Toya said, "[She] thinks and talks about her father all the time. She's doing very well, writes a lot and she wears his shirts every day. They still smell of him and it helps her feel close to him." Katherine Jackson told the Daily Mail that Paris, who has a photo shrine to her father on her wall, has recently expressed dreams of becoming an actress.

Michael's youngest child, Blanket, "is just a very sad, shy little boy. He cries -- he really does cry. It's so painful for him. No one can bring his daddy back and it hurts so much. They all go to therapy and I truly hope Prince especially will be able to open up," La Toya added.

Find out how the public remembers the King of Pop a year after his death:

Paris and Blanket became unlikely viral video stars when fans hacked a Jackson family member's Facebook and Photobucket accounts and posted private videos on the Web. With his cousin, Donte Jackson, in the room, a very-animated Blanket is shown acting out movie scenes and telling imaginative tales. The bulk of the videos star Blanket, but two feature his sister Paris. One is of her simply saying, "Monkey, please help"; another shows Paris lip-synching over an Omer Bhatti rap song.

More seriously, the LA County Department of Children and Families reportedly confiscated a stun gun following an alleged incident in which Blanket was said to have been the target of his cousin, Jaafar Jackson. Following the episode, many questioned whether or not Jackson's children were safe. Katherine's attorney, Adam Streisand, released a statement saying there was no danger posed to anyone, including Michael Jackson's three children, who live with their grandmother at her Encino, CA, compound.

Most recently, Jackson's kids were spotted going door-to-door as Jehovah's Witnesses. Sources tell PopEater that the King of Pop wanted his children to grow up with the same beliefs he had. Family friends insist Katherine would "never put them in a situation that would compromise their safety," and the children are only visiting small, safe neighborhoods.

On Friday, the family will gather at LA's Forest Lawn Cemetery for a private memorial to mark the anniversary of Jackson's death.

Tags: michael jackson

Comments

(41)

Friday 25 June

By Tell It Like It Is

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God bless, and help heal the Jackson family.

By "Remember Michael Jackson"

As long as you keep Michael Jackson in your heart...He will always be alive!

R.I.P. Michael

By y

I miss you so much Michael.

By Janice

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Micheal was great and it is sad his children will have to grow up with out him. Love and miss you .

frank- Don't be an iddiottaw. You have loved ones I'm certain. Would not take kindly if such reference made to them. Michael Jackson is great. Those that love him family,friends, and fans mourn him today. Never was guilty of any wrong doing. Merely accused. Have you ever been accused of something? Wouldn't you want truth revealed if you knew you were innocent? Please, educate yourself. Research. Forgo rumors. They are merely lies.

By fiona

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None of us knows what goes through these kid's minds. I'd be willing to bet that at some point in their young lives they wished they had been adopted by normal parents and been able to enjoy so many of the things that are part of growing up, like school, playmates, outdoor activities and, of course, a sense of stability. Instead, they were dragged across the globe like accessories to their father's career, conveniently exposed to photo-ops when publicity called for it, thinking that life was one big Halloween party in hotel after hotel and being 'mothered' by the likes of an elderly cripple named Liz, a boozer named Liza and a one woman freak show named LaToya.
So, the article says they are coping and adjusting to life without dad. It can't be perfect living amongst that Jackson Family Circus but at least there is some form of stability now and private schooling soon. Maybe they do have a fighting chance.

By iddottaw

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Hello Homo Boy: Instead of lick the boots and certain body part be a man not a fan of some pervert, child molester. Don't be a fat couch potato.

Hello Pervert Fan: Get some brains and be a man not some damn fairy homo.

By Ty

I am glad to see his children adjusting but as far as his beliefs; at the time of his death, Michael was practicing and celebrating birthdays and Christmas which I believe are not part of the Jehovah lifestyle so this will be another adjustment they will have to make.

iddiottaw- Moron is you. Dolt. Genuine heehaw. Intelligent humans are tired of hearing you bray. Misguided, grammatically incorrect statements will not alter love for King. The world is laughing at you. An idiot who cannot spell, slandering an Icon. Drink up, sober up,then grow up. Educate yourself. Acquire sensitivity. Contribute worthwhile to society. Like Michael. Don't be afraid to model him. You'll feel better about self. Life in general.

DEAR MICHAEL- Never forgotten. Forever loved. "FOREVER MICHAEL". R.I.P. King Of Pop.

HOMO

By mildred ortiz

may god bless michael kids and looking forwood to the show his brothers are doing

By perry

now he is gone and the world has lost a truley icon in the music world we were lucky enough to have experienced this unique man he never hurt anyone through his music and dancing he was cheeriful to every one i will miss him and his talent for those of u who feel he got what he deserved stop god will take care of that judgement not u to the kids of jackson he was a great professional that will be missed in the world period be proud and happy for your dad

By JIM

iddottaw or is it "jurk off" you must be a really sad bitter person with really nothing in your life. Sad and pathetic. Even if you didn't care for Michael Jackson you should keep your opinions to yourself. A lot more people loved Michael and I'm sure his kids love and miss him deeply. I grew up with his music and you really don't see that kind of talent today and I'm not sure we ever will. Would anyone really miss you like that?

HOMO: You make excuses for yourself and old Jackson boy being perverts.

Wednesday 30 June

No. Correction. HELL no!!!!!!

By robert

of course they are adjusting. they maybe only kids but even they know that the pervert is not their father. they know out there somewhere there white dad is not some sicko pervert that likes to molest children. cannot wait to read those kids tell all books in the future.

robert- ROFLMFAO!!! Another "iddiottaw" !!!!! They "maybe" only kids. Whoa!!! What a dummy. Disgrace to ANY race!!!

By Alphonso j. Atkinson

Miss you so much Michael, Rest well in the lord. May God keep and Bless your family. Love You Always. A.J.A.

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