That's what I was completely looking out for because I was so terrified that their childhood would be truly ruined.

As fans, we fully realize that John was not the perfect father. We have spent nearly four years meta-ing that so I think we're able to understand this situation better. We have to look at John's head space at this time. His baby boy who has this horrible destiny has run away after a terrible fight. His oldest son has serious abandonment issues and clear hero-worship. It was really too late to really fix things with his boys so Adam at least helped relieve the guilt of what he did to his sons (especially if he eventually found out about Mary).