INSIDE STORY: How Michael Jackson's Kids Are Coping

people.com:

Being normal also means a lot less spectacle. When the children venture out in public, their faces are no longer concealed. "They like not wearing the masks," the family source says of the trio. "It's a different experience for them."

Another source notes that Prince and Paris have become more confident over the past several months. "It would have been hard to imagine them going out in public or showing up at someone's house hanging out and playing video games before [their father died]," says the source. "That had a lot to do with Michael, because every time he showed up there were bodyguards and [chaos]. And now, not so much. It feels much more normal and they've adjusted really well to that."

Read the whole story: people.com

Comments

[D Ffrench]

01:26 PM on 02/20/2010

I found dct1999's comments below are repellent.

His comments are underlaced with an all too apparent racial judgementalism and dishonesty, which is not only unacceptable - but embarrassingly incoherent.

Ironically, it is exactly this kind of 'thinking' that young black kids growing at the same time Michael Jackson did were 'exposed' to, and it gave rise to a generation of young, gifted, over-compensating young adults. Reaching beyond their past and yet still limited by the politics of their future, is it any wonder Jackson and so many of his generation were handed their conflicted scars of self-hatred and driving aspiration?

Paris, Blanket and Prince Jackson are Michael Jackson's children.
They will have much to bear, and many questions to ask in the years to come.
Wouldn't it great if - 'why are people saying daddy isn't my real daddy' - isn't one of them?

[D Ffrench]

11:33 AM on 02/20/2010

I thought these comments of Chitown, who is clearly informed - bore repeating.


Before his death, Michael Jackson set up a very structured educational environment for his children, complete with a classroom and school uniforms. The children were tutored by professors from USC, and academically, they are years ahead of most children their age. Katherine Jackson has continued this practice, with the same instructors. He personally taught them African American history, no doubt aware that their black bona fides would be questioned because of their light skin.

MJ's nieces and nephews were constantly abused by classmates. With the trial of their father's killer coming up, it's much too soon for MJ's children to have to cope with the insensitivity of mean kids at a regular school.

That said, you are incorrect when you say they've never been to school. (For that matter, MJ also went to school when he wasn't on the road.) MJ's children attended the International School when they were living in Bahrain. And they've always gone to specialized classes, like karate and filmmaking. They've also spent plenty of time socializing with friends. Because of MJ's practice of keeping them masked when they were in high-profile situations, nobody knew what they looked like, so nobody bothered them.

[nisha]

01:43 PM on 02/20/2010

Yes, and since MJ said they were his biological offspring, I think we should believe him and honor that.The children were veiled for serious security considerations on their mother's request (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKWvGe8VJdo&feature=related 3:30 - 5:40).

[nisha]

01:46 PM on 02/20/2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKWvGe8VJdo&feature=related
at 3:30 - 5:40).

[ColoradoBrad]

02:01 PM on 02/16/2010

Maybe we should no longer run stories on these kids and let them move on with their lives.

[ar6557]

04:37 AM on 02/16/2010

soooo this article is saying that the kids are better off with daddy dead?

[MarieNat]

05:32 PM on 02/16/2010

It sure sounded that way to me.

[chitown]

02:04 AM on 02/16/2010

According to an article posted on Lipstick Alley, Michael Jackson had the fetus Debbie Rowe was carrying DNA tested to make sure that it was his child, before he married her. He didn't want children; he wanted HIS children. That's why he split from Lisa Marie - she refused to bear his children.

[sexyrexy]

02:55 AM on 02/16/2010

oh please.. Lisa Marie would still have been only a surrogate..as far as that went..

and Lipstick alley is your source for truth? .HA!

[chitown]

03:09 PM on 02/16/2010

No, Lipstick Alley is not the source. An article by a psychologist in a psychology journal is the source. And you all do realize that the mother of these children is whiter than Casper the Ghost. Why would you expect the kids to look exactly like MJ? It takes two sets of genes to make a baby.

[travelah]

10:31 PM on 02/15/2010

Is anybody who thinks those kids are biologically related to Jackson

[nisha]

12:40 AM on 02/16/2010

Yes.

[KellyRyan]

01:36 AM on 02/16/2010

No ... proof in the DNA more to be revealed.

[travelah]

09:17 AM on 02/16/2010

I don't know how to break this gently to you but lots of plastic surgery does not change one's DNA map. Take a good look at Jackson's parents and then look at Jackson before all the plastic surgery.

No way.

[SC341]

05:06 PM on 02/15/2010

Maybe if Michael's mother had gotten him therapy 30 years ago he could have learned how to cope with his extreme fame/celebrity and his other issues (of which he had many). Hopefully his mother has learned from her past mistakes and will make sure that his 3 children have appropriate therapy to deal with the loss of their father as well as their usual upbringing. I am not saying that Michael was not a good father. He did the best he could under the circumstances. MJ had a very unusual thought process. He was travelling around the world constantly. The kids have never been to school or really had friends. Michael left school in 6th grade in order to constantly perform (he had a private tutor). He never had a normal childhood. I hope his kids will have a more normal childhood now that their father is gone. He was a great entertainer. May he r.i.p.

[chitown]

08:07 PM on 02/15/2010

Before his death, Michael Jackson set up a very structured educational environment for his children, complete with a classroom and school uniforms. The children were tutored by professors from USC, and academically, they are years ahead of most children their age. Katherine Jackson has continued this practice, with the same instructors. He personally taught them African American history, no doubt aware that their black bona fides would be questioned because of their light skin.

MJ's nieces and nephews were constantly abused by classmates. With the trial of their father's killer coming up, it's much too soon for MJ's children to have to cope with the insensitivity of mean kids at a regular school.

That said, you are incorrect when you say they've never been to school. (For that matter, MJ also went to school when he wasn't on the road.) MJ's children attended the International School when they were living in Bahrain. And they've always gone to specialized classes, like karate and filmmaking. They've also spent plenty of time socializing with friends. Because of MJ's practice of keeping them masked when they were in high-profile situations, nobody knew what they looked like, so nobody bothered them.

[PoliSci2008]

10:21 PM on 02/15/2010

Also, the kids stopped wearing masks 2 years before their father's death, and this author Joey Bartolomeo is wrong saying the kids NOW have the opportunity to show up at someone's home to play. According to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, The MJ Tapes, MJ would show up with his 3 kids at the Rabbi's home and others' home to have a very ordinary evening of family & kids get togethers.

MJ was eccentric, but he wasn't anti social with his kids.

[farmilyman]

03:21 PM on 02/15/2010

Those kids are not his genetic offspring.

[sexyrexy]

05:26 PM on 02/15/2010

so what.. they are more his kids than anything genetic.. besides.. genetic doesn't mean the kid will naturally inherit his gifts & talents.. if anything.. most famous parents kids are doomed to mediority with very few exceptions.

[nisha]

06:22 PM on 02/15/2010

sexyrexy, how do you know or why do you believe they are not his biologically? To my eyes, the older two do look as if they are MJ's biological kids with Debbie Rowe.

[farmilyman]

05:23 PM on 02/16/2010

........so money and fame to these people are more important than anything else? Surprising!

[KellyRyan]

12:36 PM on 02/15/2010

The children are all in therapy. This is their greatest gift and it was their mother who insisted on it. Under the guidance of a good therapist they will be encouraged and validated through grieving, while being validated for who they are. Healthy boundaries are sadly lacking in this family, and these kids have opportunities beyond their past.

[Bardmess]

12:09 PM on 02/15/2010

This should be called the CELEBRITY GOSSIP page. There is nothing about entertainment here, not even a movie review.

[sexyrexy]

12:30 PM on 02/15/2010

sure is more pertinenent t han Suri's new hi heels.. or Suri is sticking her tongue out to catch snow.. bah..

or Madge & Jesus exchANGING TONGUES.. ha..

[Cherubim]

11:25 AM on 02/15/2010

Michael Jackson was a "real Father to his children"
Luckily the Videos are still posted.
Here's the real truth--A Touch of Heaven:
Click on the links below and watch the videos:

Michael Jackson with his children - from Private Home Movies- Vietnamese subtitle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onkPbmoud1A

Paris Jackson's Birthday 2007 in Las Vegas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FYYkOfdMKM&feature=related

Michael Jackson Unseen Private Home Videos Prince and Paris Circa 2000
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBuDh13TZJY&feature=related

Michael’s Family Christmas 2008 with friends:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7e8I0tGiNo&feature=PlayList&p=6A7FC8A62BE0ED91&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=49


Michael’s Family Christmas 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7e8I0tGiNo&feature=PlayList&p=6A7FC8A62BE0ED91&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=49

[Cherubim]

11:52 AM on 02/15/2010

Sorry for the double post.
Try this link, instead:
GOD PLEASE PROTECT MICHAEL'S CHILDREN:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVxGpVGTRMs&feature=related

[dct1999]

10:40 AM on 02/15/2010

How much self-hate does a person have to possess to make sure that none of his children share his race?

Michael Jackson was a great artist, but he was an extremely sick man.

[ywcachieve]

11:12 AM on 02/15/2010

dct....I am totally in agreement with you.

[nisha]

08:12 PM on 02/15/2010

I'm not in agreement with dct, because I think they are his own children. MJ was of mixed heritage, and as he lost pigment from vitiligo, you could first see his Cherokee and Choctaw looks coming out and then whatever part of his genetic makeup was white.

[Cherubim]

11:41 AM on 02/15/2010

Peeps try love and not hate. Watch the video that I posted above.

[KellyRyan]

01:34 AM on 02/16/2010

Fan obsessions have little credibility. MJ needed psychiatric treatment and avoided it.

[Dannydel]

09:40 AM on 02/15/2010

Paris is just absolutely drop dead gorgeous. Prince is handsome but for some strange reason, reminds me of Robert Blake,

[MeMyselfI]

10:54 AM on 02/15/2010

She reminds me alot of the actress Rashida Jones, and you're right, he does evoke Robert Blake.

[sexyrexy]

12:20 PM on 02/15/2010

I keep reading Rashida as example.. true she's a good mix of her parents.. Q & Peggy Lipton.

but.. here's the big BUT.. taKE IT as a litter.. surely.. NOT all kids will turn out.. as MJ's.. or even Mariah Carey's sister turned out more black,..

MJ made sure his kids have perfect noses..

[ywcachieve]

11:17 AM on 02/15/2010

She looks like Debbie Rowe.

[sexyrexy]

12:13 PM on 02/15/2010

yikes..debs s hould be so lucky.. whose chin protrudes & none of these kids do..& that's a hereditary trait.

[JScott]

09:12 AM on 02/15/2010

So how strict are they being raised Jehovah's Witnesses, does she let them salute the flag, celebrate birthdays and Christmases and allow blood transfusions. Does she take them door to door prosetylizing and stand in front of stores handing out 'Awake' and 'The Watchtower'.

[sexyrexy]

12:50 PM on 02/15/2010

nd if you are well-informed? then you'll KNOW Kat allows them to celebrate Christmas & gtheir b-days as MJ have done.

[Joye]

08:51 AM on 02/15/2010

THREE beautiful children; don't forget Blanket. I hope Katherine will give him a better name...

[dct1999]

10:41 AM on 02/15/2010

Blanket is a nickname.