Nicholas II - Head of the Romanovs and Family Man

[Candice]

The downfall of the monarchy in my opinion was because of the political situation in Russia at the time.
I believe that Nicholas was a good Tsar and if things had been different the country would have prospered from his rule.  I hope that the world has learned from the mistakes that Russia made.

[Joanna]

A poignant moment tonight watching a documentary with the director Sergei of the archives of GARF turning the pages of one of over 200 photograph albums of Nicholas. And remembering Nicholas' comment that he was born on the day of Job. A life with burdens but a life with love.

A hand on my heart.

Joanna

[Janet_W.]

As a footnote to our commemoration of the Tsar's birthday, today I happened to come across the fact that Peter Carol Faberge also was born on May 18; his birth year was 1846.

[AGRBear]

Speaking of his birthday, it should be noted that  he was born on the day set aside for Job on the Russian calendar.  Some think this affected him spiritualy and mentaly and was therefore the seed planted in him by the priests which created within him his  fatalist view on life.  On p. 114 of Massie's Nicholas and Alexandra  there is mention of this and his secret conviction, : "...that I am destined for terrible trial, that I shall not receive my reward on this earth."  

AGRBear

[Sarai_Porretta]

I have seen references to Nicholas's birthday being on both May 18th or May 19th. Which is correct? I have seen more references to it being on the 18th so I tend to think that is the correct date. Also, I thought that the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars was twelve days, so if Nicholas's birthday is May 6th in the "old style" then it would be May 18th in the "new style." But like I said, I have seen May 19th given as his birth date as well in several books. Just curious as to what is the general consensus on this, especially also because my own birthday is May 19th so I have a personal interest in this as well!

[Lanie]

May 6/18 1868 is the correct date; when 1900 started I believe the span of days between the two calendars went up a day from 12 to 13.

[investigator]

What sort of a father was he?  

[ferngully]

he was a dedicated and loving father
selina              xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Lanie]

Though he loved his children he obviously could not spend much time with them at all due to the work he had to do.

[JaneEyre5381]

I think Lanie pretty much summed it up.  Nikolai was a devoted and loving father, but very little time to spend with his children.  He admitted himself that he enjoyed playing with them and at times he acted like their older brother rather then a parent.

[pushkina]

He admitted himself that he enjoyed playing with them and at times he acted like their older brother rather then a parent.

don't most fathers act that way?  i know my husband behaves not much older than our daughter sometimes!  and the way he tattles on her!  sounds like he's about 4 years old....

but that's a personal problem.

[Janet_W.]

One of the reasons I've admired Nicholas? His obvious love for his children. His letters and diaries reflect this, as do observations penned by other people.

Moreover, Nicholas had the ability to truly enjoy being with his children, rather than feeling self-conscious or behaving in dictatorial fashion, as was the case of so many fathers at that time.

[bluetoria]

He must have been an excellent father by the standards of the time and his class. Surely not many fathers then played with their children and his absolute devotion to Alexei speaks for itself...his diaries bear witness to it. If you compare his treatment of Alexei to that of Alphonso XIII of Spain and his haemophiliac sons, Nicholas shines as an exemplar!

[RichC]

I always had the impression that Nicholas was a good, loving father and family man.  But I just finished reading The Fate of the Romanovs (got it for Christmas) and neither he nor Alexandra come off as very good parents in this book.  I didn't agree with some of the judgements the authors made about the Nicholas and Alexandra's parenting skills.  But I suppose that's fodder for another thread.

[bluetoria]

In what way did they appear as not very good parents?