A Look at Jackson as a Father

Friends Say He Was Loving Single Parent Behind-the-Scenes

(CBS)  Michael Jackson's death brought his ex-wife Debbie Rowe back into the limelight. The question hovers: Will she try to get custody of the oldest two of his three children?

One thing's for certain: Rowe isn't happy with all the media attention she's suddently getting again.

CBS News correspondent Kelly Cobiella joined Early Show co-anchors Harry Smith and Maggie Rodriguez Tuesday, from the Jackson family home in Encino, Calif.

Debbie claims she's the biological mother of Jackson's two oldest children, Prince Michael and Paris.

Rowe said she decided to stay away from Tuesday's memorial service for Jackson because of the intense media focus on her. She said the focus should be on Michael.

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Complete coverage of Michael Jackson's life and death

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Jackson has been a single parent for all these years.

"He was loving. He laughed, he smiled and broke into songs and sang with them," said Uri Gellar, Jackson's friend.

Even dressing his children in masks was something of a game, Geller reveals.

"He told me that this was a private joke against the media. The kids loved it. They all planned it together," Gellar said. " 'I'm going to wear this veil, this color, this mask." '

According to others close to Jackson, his children are surprisingly normal.

"They are very conversational. They are smart, funny. They are very polite," said CBS News consultant and Jackson biographer, J. Randy Taraborrelli.

But the kids may soon be caught in a tug-of-war between Jackson's mother. Katherine, and Rowe. In family photos published in a British tabloid, Rowe looks every bit the role of mother, yet the stress of it all is showing.

"Are you ready to fight for your children?" a photographer asked Rowe.

"Are you ready to get your butt kicked? Don't touch me!" Rowe replied.

"She is not looking to cause trouble or heartache for the children. They are close to Katherine and, right now, she's respecting that," said Roger Friedman, of Showbiz411.com.

Whoever does eventually get permanent custody of these children will also likely get a monthly allowance from the Jackson estate to help care for them.

The first hearing in the custody battle is slated for Monday.