Lynne Spears Blames Self for Britney's Meltdown

Lynne Spears feels she is to blame for her daughter Britney's public meltdown last year.

In fact, at one point, Lynne debated titling her autobiography It's All My Fault (in the end, she went with Through the Storm).

"I can laugh about it now, but did I feel that way at the time? Yes, I did and, if I'm being totally honest, I still do," she told the UK's Daily Mail on Saturday.

"When her life was such a success, what did she need me for? And when things took a turn for the worse, I was out, because other people - dancers, managers - were closer to her, and with her day and night. Being a mother, you can't help but have regrets about what you did and didn't do for your kids, and I'm no different," Lynne said.

"I think I was an enabler to Britney,' she added. "I would over-compensate and I tried to make things seem happier when my kids were growing up, because I was aware of the deficit. Maybe I didn't give her the skills to handle the hard times. Maybe I sheltered her too much from the realities, and sometimes that's not a good thing."


Take a look back on Britney's crazy year.


Read Lynne's other revelations below.

On whether of not Britney is happy now:

"I think Britney's happy in most ways - very happy with her kids and ecstatic about work, but there's something missing in her life. That gut belief she had in herself when she was so young - that's what's missing, and she's got to get that back. She could set the world on fire in those days, and she knew exactly what she wanted. But the hardships she's been through have made her a little hesitant. She needs one big boost, one plug of energy and she'll be there.

"I'm so proud of Britney. She's been through a tough time and look at her now. That's my baby - and she's back.'

Take a look at Britney's baby photo.


On Britney being suicidal

"I did worry that might happen. I couldn't see Britney, and you worry more when you're looking at things from a distance. When I started seeing her again [Britney reached out for help in regaining custody, Lynne says], I felt more reassured. She told me that, as bad as life can get, she still likes life too much to consider ending it."

On Britney's ex husband Kevin Federline

"He has been real good with Britney, and doesn't want to keep the kids from her at all. He's not a bad guy and he has a good heart. I would have chosen a prince or a state governor for her, but Kevin's worked a lot to help out, and I can't say anything bad about him."

See unforgettable photos of Britney and her boys.

On youngest daughter Jamie Lynn getting pregnant at 17:

"With Britney, everything had always been out there in the public domain, so, even if I wasn't used to the pain, I was still used to those things happening. But with Jamie Lynn, it was so different. I couldn't believe that my studious, perfect little girl had got herself pregnant. I just went into shock. But she's doing great now, and is a wonderful mum to Maddie Briann.

On Jamie Lynn having more children and getting married:

Although no wedding date is set for Jamie Lynn and Casey Aldridge, "Jamie Lynn will do the right thing at the right time. [She] definitely [won't have more kids]. I think it took that one time to make her grow up and realize her responsibilities."

Look back on Jamie Lynn's bump.

On Britney's relationship with British paparazzo Adnan Ghalib:

"Did I think it seemed right that they were seeing each other? Oh, no. But when I met him, Sam Lutfi [Britney's former manager] was also around, and Adnan was definitely the better of the two. But Adnan's out of her life now."

On accusations that she was a stage mom:

"I was never a stage mom and never Britney's manager. What really gets me about that stage mom thing is that, in this business, it's customary for the mother to take five per cent, but I never did, even when times were bad and our family needed the money. Jamie [Britney's father] and I both said that we never wanted to be her managers; we just wanted to be parents. I was never in the driver's seat as far as Britney's career goes."

See photos of Britney Spears performing over the years.


On Jamie Spears, who was awarded legal conservatorship over his daughter:

"I admire Jamie for making the effort [to become conservator] and trying to do it well...We decided he should be the one to do it, because he's the stronger figure. Mums always give in to their kids because we're softies, and what Britney needed at the time was the stronger person. We all had reservations at first [Jamie battled alcohol addiction, but has been sober for five years] and we all worried that the stresses of such a major undertaking would affect them both. But Jamie's really doing well with Britney, and I must give him credit for that.

See photos of Britney and her parents through the years.

"Jamie's real gruff sometimes, but he's been a disciplinarian when it was needed. He's always adored his children, but when they were younger, he was so distracted with work and was drinking heavily, so they maybe didn't bond like they should have done. I admire Jamie for making the effort and trying to do it well. We decided he should be the one to do it, because he's the stronger figure. Moms always give in to their kids because we're softies, and what Britney needed at the time was the stronger person."




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