Britney Spears Has Every Right to 'Take Time Off for Her Mental Health' as Dad Recovers: Source
As Britney Spears continues receiving treatment amid her father’s recovery from a life-threatening colon rupture, a Spears family insider tells PEOPLE her choice to seek help comes after a trying few years.
“She wants to be well so she can be with her boys and continue to perform,” says the source of Spears, 37, who shares sons Sean, 13, and Jayden, 12, with ex-husband Kevin Federline, 41. “She is allowed to have whatever reason she wants to take time off for her mental health.”
Indeed, the Spears family has dealt with several emotional setbacks in recent years. In 2017, Jamie Lynn’s daughter, Maddie, 10, had a terrifying ATV accident from which she has now fully recovered.
Then late last year Jamie suffered a life-threatening colon rupture; his hospitalization and subsequent surgeries have taken an emotional toll on Spears, adds the source.
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“The recovery is slow, but he is getting better. Everyone has been worried sick. His condition seemed so frail, but Jamie is strong,” says the source of his current condition.
When he first entered the hospital, Spears “was absolutely devastated and out-of-mind worried,” continues the source. “To ask her to keep up with her shows while worrying about her dad is not anything the people that love her would ask.”
While gearing up for a return to the Las Vegas strip with her show Domination after taking her wildly successful Vegas show Britney: Piece of Me on tour last summer, Spears announced that she was taking an indefinite break from work in January to support her father.
“I don’t even know where to start with this, because this is so tough for me to say,” Spears wrote in an emotional tweet, posting an old photo of her posing with both her parents, Jamie, 66, and Lynne, 63. “I will not be performing my new show Domination. I’ve been looking forward to this show and seeing all of you this year, so doing this breaks my heart.”
“[My father and I] have a very special relationship and I want to be with my family at this time just like they have always been there for me,” she added in a statement to PEOPLE.
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In 2008, a Los Angeles court named Jamie permanent conservator of his daughter’s affairs. He was also named permanent co-conservator of her estate, along with an attorney, Andrew Wallet. Wallet resigned his role in March, according to documents obtained by The Blast.
“Ever since Britney has been under the conservatorship, the focus has been on keeping her healthy,” says the source. “There was a reason a conservatorship was needed and there is a reason it has continued. It’s to protect Britney and make sure she continues to do well.”
Over the last decade, the singer has “received treatment, seen a psychiatrist and other doctors,” says the source, who adds that Spears has been on board with her treatment plan. “This is something she wants to do.”
And at the end of the day, her loved ones just want her to continue living a healthy and happy life. Says the source: “The most important thing is that Britney is feeling better.”
