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Britney Spears' healing journey with Sons Sean Preston and Jayden James


In August 2023, Preston and Jayden relocated to Hawaii with their dad, Kevin Federline


Image© Getty Images
Shirley GomezSenior Writer
SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 1:51 PM EDT

Britney Spears has never been shy about wearing her heart on her sleeve, and her August 24 Instagram post proved just that. In a raw confession, the pop icon admitted that the years she spent estranged from her sons, Sean Preston, 19, and Jayden James, 18, were “the hardest of her life.” 

Cut off from calling or texting them, Spears revealed she survived only through denial and tears. She also admitted her brief marriage to Sam Asghari felt more like a distraction than true healing. Now, at 43, Britney is slowly rewriting her story, this time with her boys by her side.

Now, at 43, Britney is slowly rewriting her story, this time with her boys by her side.

© Angela Weiss
Now, at 43, Britney is slowly rewriting her story, this time with her boys by her side.

Rebuilding Bridges After Distance

In August 2023, Preston and Jayden relocated to Hawaii with their dad, Kevin Federline. For Britney, it was another heartbreak layered onto years of complicated family dynamics. But in late 2024, hope flickered when Jayden reached out after years of silence. He even lived with Britney in her Los Angeles home between January and April this year, where they bonded over movies, cooking, music, and even board games. “It wasn’t awkward,” a source revealed. “They fell back into their old groove like the old days.”

Jayden’s willingness to reconnect seems to have inspired his older brother. Preston, though slower to warm up, has been visiting more often and gradually opening the door to healing. The dynamic between the three isn’t perfect yet, but it’s finally moving in the right direction.

Jayden’s willingness to reconnect seems to have inspired his older brother. © FilmMagic
Jayden’s willingness to reconnect seems to have inspired his older brother.

Healing Together

According to insiders, Britney and her sons are now “healing together.” The boys, on the cusp of adulthood, are mature enough to process the past and extend grace to their mom. Spears, for her part, is making changes too. She’s more mindful of her sons’ wishes, particularly when it comes to her bold social media presence, which once sparked tension. “Britney’s really listening now,” a source explained. “She’s focusing on communication without judgment and respecting their feelings. She’s humbling herself.”

Signs of repair had been bubbling for a while. Back in June 2022, both boys skipped her wedding to Asghari, sparking headlines about family rifts. But by Mother’s Day the following year, they’d reached out with a phone call from Hawaii, a small gesture that paved the way for bigger steps.

Britney and her sons are now “healing together.” © Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Britney and her sons are now “healing together.”

Now, Spears and Jayden reportedly speak every few days, while Preston, more cautious, checks in a couple of times a month. Communication flows through FaceTime, texts, and calls, allowing their bond to grow organically. “They may not be in constant contact, but they know their mom loves them deeply,” says one source, according to US Weekly.

Finding Strength in Motherhood Again

What’s striking is how Britney frames this reunion. She doesn’t see it as just a reconciliation; she sees it as wholeness returning to her life. After years of court battles, conservatorship struggles, and family drama splashed across headlines, the chance to be a mom again feels like her greatest victory.

Rebuilding her relationship with her sons is her biggest priority,” an insider noted. “She lights up whenever she talks about them.” Even Kevin Federline, who has primary custody, supports the boys’ relationship with their mom. Both parents encourage their sons’ musical passions: Jayden as a pianist and producer, Preston with an interest in production and showbiz.

Britney Spears and her sons in 2021© @britneyspears
Britney Spears and her sons in 2021

Outside of family, Spears is dipping into creative projects that keep her grounded. She’s reportedly working on two fiction novels, exploring her jewelry line B Tiny, and expanding her fragrance collection after signing a new deal. 

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