Writing

I have cousins, let's say that their 3 fathers were flakes. Sometimes difficult to be their kids.

Their fathers, my uncles, had exceptionally difficult childhoods. When I described some of their fathers' childhood experiences to my cousins, it seemed to bring relief to them to understand the background of their fathers' upbringing.

I explained that their fathers' parenting skills may not have been the best, but they probably did the best they could, given the parenting they experienced. (Depression kids, my grandparents on welfare and grandparents were adult children of alcoholics).

It is possible that your cousin's kids may have questions about their father, his life experiences and their relatives.