Britney not getting shared custody
Categories: Divorce & custody, Celeb kids, Behaving badly, Media
The report Britney Spears' parenting coach presented to the judge earlier in the week did not paint a flattering portrait of the singer's mothering skills.
According to the report:
- Britney "rarely engaged with [her] children in either conversation or play" during their monitored time together
- showed a "lack of general attention at times"
- when the kids were with Spears, they "have no real schedule or routine"
- the environment at the house ranged from chaotic to almost somber with little communication at all
- Spears "had little to no interest in talking to or utilizing" the parenting coach
- missed three appointments
- "many of [Spears'] interactions with the children are not child-centered. ... It seems that her choices are dependent more upon what she wants to do at any given time rather than what would be more enjoyable for the children."
- there has been no childproofing at the home
On a positive note, the coach noted that Britney loves her children, the kids are bonded to her and that she found nothing abusive "in the traditional sense" within the house.
The judge ruled Spears be allowed only two monitored daily visits and one overnight a week with her children.
He also upheld the weekly drug testing rule, in spite of Spear's lawyers requests that they be dropped.
Many have defended Spear's actions or said reports on her parenting problems have been blow out of proportion and she should be given a break because she's young and inexperienced, but when a professional report like this is impossible to justify. The parenting coach is just doing her job and Britney is rejecting turning down mandated assistance from a professional. Any sympathy at all should be aimed toward those poor little boys.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jenn D 10-31-2007 @ 12:53PM
Can you say post partum depression?
Christ I'm sick of people judging this poor girl. Can you imagine going through what seems like severe PPD with the whole world judging and hating you? I bet even the best of you judgmental jerks would fall apart too.
Yes, feel bad for the boys. We all should. But unless you're actually doing something to help (which, unless you're a friend) then the best thing anyone can do for that whole family is shut up.
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Groovymarlin 10-31-2007 @ 1:05PM
No surprise that this immature, white-trash girl can't handle parenthood. Unfortunately it's her children who will suffer most.
On another note, why are posts on ParentDish so sloppy about citing their sources? This one talks in detail about the parenting coach's report to the judge, but where did the author find all this information? She didn't just make it up, did she?
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S. Kelly 10-31-2007 @ 1:26PM
Jenn, I'm just wondering... at what point to do you require people to be responsible for their actions?
I am an ABSOLUTE believer in post-partum depression and I FULLY SUPPORT women who have had to deal with it, but where do you draw the line?
My dh is a psychiatrist and he would bet serious money that this is NOT PPD. This is BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER pure and simple, a.k.a.: Selfish Brat Syndrome (my term).
Britney has had every opportunity for help. She refuses. She wants to live a self-centered existence. You think you are standing up for her, but you're really not. She has made her CHOICE loud and clear. If you respect her so much, you should respect her conscious decision and quit making excuses for her. She's certainly not making any for herself.
The buck has to stop somewhere.
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Sabrina 10-31-2007 @ 1:44PM
Whoever you are referring to when you state that "Many have defended Spear's actions or said reports on her parenting problems have been blow out of proportion and she should be given a break because she's young and inexperienced", those people need to get a clue, much younger and more inexperienced people become good parents every day. You don't have to even be an adult to develop good parenting skills, and most of those who are young parents still don't get the benefits of nannies, helpers, and parenting coaches! Personally, I think it's just a general lack of ability for Britney to focus on anyone or anything beyond her self and her own needs. Might be PPD, might be some other mental disorder....but that doesn't negate the fact that she still doesn't act as if she has the slightest clue what to do with her life, in general.
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Kris 10-31-2007 @ 5:32PM
OH I disagree that this isn't post partum depression. Has anyone ever thought that a woman can go through PPD from her first preganancy and never get over it, and then have a second pregnancy that makes it so much worse...even to the point of (attempted) suicide? That is what happened to someone I am close. It happens a lot according to her doctors. Borderline personality disorder my butt. At any rate, yes parents need to be held accountable and she has hasn't she by losing the custody of her children??!! Let's leave her alone. We wouldn't stand this if it was Jane across the street or your best friend would we? We'd tell other people to piss off and butt out!
Now, about this person that made the report to the judge...I WONDER waht kind of preconceived ideas she had about "Britney Spears"' parenting from the things she has seen EVERYWHERE. I very much doubt that her report was impartial...too bad they can't pick parenting coaches like they do jurors. Shame really.
K.
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Caelligh 10-31-2007 @ 9:10PM
*yawn*
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Uly 10-31-2007 @ 9:51PM
I agree with Jenn, though. I know enough bad parents in my real life, why should I gossip about the ones I *don't* know?
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Jenn D 10-31-2007 @ 9:55PM
Kris - Thank you, you took the words out of my mouth.
S. Kelly - Oh, I never said I respected Britney, I don't like her music, I don't like her style, never have. That's not the point here though. The point is that she is a young girl who is suffering and the public is taking a great deal of pleasure out of watching it and judging her.
Lots of younger people than her become mothers and do an admirable job, and lots of older people do a crappy job. That's not the point, the point is that we are watching a girl destroy her life all we can do is judge and condemn her. It's sick.
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S. Kelly 10-31-2007 @ 11:51PM
And YOU are missing MY point, entirely.
I'm not denying that it *could* be PPD. But do you think EVERY young mother who makes selfish choices and does stupid, risky behavior is a victim of PPD?
REALLY?
Let's use your logic for another scenario?
Do you think that every person who commits murder is mentally insane? Some would argue so.
But where does evil and selfishness come in? At what point do you assign personal responsibility?
Britney has had FAR more opportunities for help and therapy and medical attention than most women who have suffered from post-partum depression. The women I have known who have suffered from PPD would KILL for the offers of help and healing that have been offered Britney. PPD can be devastating, but it is not irreparable.
So do you think all forms of bad mothering are signs of PPD?
What about Andrea Yates? What about Susan Smith? What about young mothers who choose drugs or alcohol or partying over their children EVERY DAY in this country?
You think you are being so noble defending "poor little Britney," but I ask you, who will speak up for the children?
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Kris 11-01-2007 @ 1:21PM
Oh sorry S. Kelly, I thought this was an open forum where everyone's opinions were welcome. You obviously have a lot more time on your hands to worry/not worry about Britney Spears! I am not sure what is more disappointing, Britney's plight or your lack of ability to embrace others' opinions.
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Jess 11-07-2007 @ 6:05PM
The only reason this discussion is happening is because Ms Spears is followed around everyday by people with cameras in order that trashy gossip magazines can sell her story. The report says that there is no abuse and that it is clear that Britney loves her children. Believe it or not this counts for a lot, in fact this is everything.
I can't stand the whole Britney Spears thing but in her defense if I were followed around everyday by cameras and spied on by people around me I bet you could pick some examples of my parenting behaviour say around dinner time, that would not make me look good. When I was younger I had even less of a clue and I am a good and dedicated mother - NOW! I evolved. Now everyone needs to mind their own business, if the kids are basically safe, fed and loved, the rest will come. But then she no longer has that opportunity does she? It is not PPD or personality disorder except in the people who buy the magazines that feed the frenzy of attention being focussed on a bit of a nobody in the first place!
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