During a news conference outside the Jackson Family Compound in Encino, California on Monday afternoon, Joe Jackson, father of the late Michael Jackson, told the media that his grandchildren — Prince Michael I, Paris, and Prince Michael II — are recovering well in the wake of their dad’s death last week.

At today’s press conference — which was co-signed by the ever-annoying presence of the Rev. Al Sharpton — the tough stage dad explained that he was only plugging his new label Ranch Records on the BET Awards Red Carpet last night because reporters inquired about his future plans.

Uh-Huh.

“I’ve seen Michael help so many people and sometimes he would go and cry about it because he felt sorry for the people that he was helping,” Joe explained.

“I was very proud of my son.”

Joe, whose wife Katherine filed a petition to be appointed guardian of the minors this morning, said The Jacksons will give the youngsters a proper upbringing.

“They’re happy with the kids that they’re around because we have kids over [at the house]. They’re small just like they are and some of them are the same age… they were never around other kids, but they’re happy,” Joe told reporters.

“This is where they belong. We’re the [grand]parents and we’ve got other kids of their size,” Joe said. “They love those kids and we love those kids too. We’re going to take care of them and give them an education that they’re supposed to have. We can do that… We have [a space] large enough to be able to extend to them all the help that they might need.”