Janet Jackson has offered to help raise her brother Michael's young children, who look to their aunt as a "mother figure", according to new reports.

Janet, 43, is said to have been helping her mother Katherine look after Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II aka Blanket, since the sudden death of their father last month.

And the pop star has allegedly offered to take in the youngsters if their elderly grandmother, 79, is unable to do so.

A source tells Britain's The Sun, "Janet has said, 'I love them and I'll step forward and raise them if this is what they want.' She tells everyone she loves them as if they were her own.

"The children have chosen her as their confidante and mother figure, and Janet feels her place is at their side. She's completely bonded with those children in the last two weeks.

"It's clear to everyone that they are looking to her for comfort and guidance. Janet is blossoming as a woman with tremendous maternal instincts."

Katherine Jackson was awarded temporary guardianship of the children pending a custody hearing later this month that the two older children's biological mother, Debbie Rowe, is expected to attend.

Jackson's will, which was filed in 2002, stipulates he wanted his mother to have custody of the children in the event of his death, and names singer Diana Ross as his second-choice guardian.


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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)