You know how LaToya Jackson was always considered the most messed up, crazy Jackson? Then Michael passed away and we were supposed to act like we didn’t think that about her. But it’s been about four months, and LaToya has spent much of that time thoroughly enjoying the attention of the press. So it’s time to throw out the kid gloves and say it: LaToya is still crazy.

First off, she thinks it’s totally appropriate to share with the world that Michael’s three children are in therapy. And then go into specifics about what each of their issues are. Heaven forbid we keep anything to ourselves here. Secondly, LaToya honest-to-goodness believes in ghosts, and thinks she’s being haunted/visited by Michael. I guess “haunted” isn’t the right word because that implies it’s unwelcome – and she’s totally encouraging it. But “visited” is a little too “I just stopped by to drop off this casserole.” It’s somewhere in between the two.

First, the details of the Jackson children’s personal sadness, courtesy of Aunt LaToya.

Four months after the death” of their father Michael Jackson, his kids Paris, 11, Prince 12, and Blanket, 7, have turned to therapy to cope with their grief, Michael’s sister LaToya Jackson tells London’s Mirror newspaper. “Prince just doesn’t want to speak about it,” LaToya said. “I do worry about him very much.”

Meanwhile, his sister Paris “thinks and talks about her father all the time. She’s doing very well, writes a lot and she wears his shirts every day,” she said. “They still smell of him and it helps her feel close to him.”

Michael’s youngest child, Blanket, “is just a very sad, shy little boy,” LaToya said. “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.”

LaToya says the whole family is rallying around to raise the kids the way Michael would have wanted. The children, who are home schooled, watch no more than two hours of television a day, limited to the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon. And in an effort to keep the traditions they shared with their father, a huge Christmas celebration is being planned.

“Paris doesn’t know it but she has all the makings of a star,” says LaToya. “If she wants to go into showbiz I can see that happening. The boys like the idea of directing, which is what Michael wanted to do. Kids are resilient. He gave them so much love and that is helping them.”

[From People]

Of all the awful ways the Jackson family has tried to use Michael’s death for publicity, this one bothers me as much as the worst of them. Maybe the most. Children grieving for their dead father – that stuff is beyond private. And to think an aunt would repeat that. Whatever was said to LaToya, whether it came from the children directly or another relative, it wasn’t meant to be passed on to The Mirror. Those kids will never trust her. Using the death of their father to get some press. Despicable.

But it’s hard to hold LaToya completely responsible, since she is clearly 100% insane.

La Toya said, “When I go to his house I say, ‘Hello, Michael. How are you? If you’re here, please, please let me know’. And the lights start blinking. I can feel him. I can smell his Tom Ford cologne and I’ve felt him brush past me. It’s the most wonderful feeling and the biggest smile comes over my face. I tell him I love him so much and ask him to show me he’s here again. The lights blink again. I know he’s there, answering me and knowing he’s watching me is a huge comfort. I never believed that people could speak, hear and communicate in that sense. But I’ve witnessed it several times now and I want to investigate it further. I am certainly open-minded to speaking to a medium. No other members of the family have experienced it. Just me.”

[From the Mirror via Dlisted]

You know why you might still smell his cologne? Because that scent can linger for a long, long time, depending on the fabrics and whatnot. Most homes have their own smell, and it’s a combination of a lot of things, perfumes and colognes being a big part of it. Rarely is it indicative of a ghost. In fact I think the theory goes that ghosts don’t smell, since they don’t have corporeal form. When he brushed past you? That was probably your hair. I’ve startled myself a few times. Of course I didn’t instantly think “Michael Jackson’s ghost!” but more “Ahhhh, a bug!” only to realize it was my hair. And if the lights are blinking, it’s time to pay the electric bill. Just a thought. LaToya until you actually see him, assume you’re crazy. It’s the safest bet; that’s why the rest of us go with it.

Here’s LaToya shopping on Rodeo Drive on October 23rd. Images thanks to Fame Pictures .