Britney Spears’ Parenting Classes Begin

By: Shannon Gossage

Los Angeles Court Commissioner Scott Gordon ordered Spears and her ex-husband Kevin Federline to complete the parenting program. Spears was also ordered to complete three individual counseling sessions to "address parenting issues." Spears and Federline must also complete three joint sessions of co-parenting counseling before appearing in court on Friday, October 26. As for the Parenting Without Conflict course, it is urged but not mandatory for parents to take the course together.

The six-session course teaches good communication skills and cooperative parenting. Craig Ogulnick, a supervisor for the program, said that "polite request" drills are also part of the program. Ogulnick said, "Instead of saying, ‘You’re always bringing the kids home late because you’re an insensitive jerk,’ we teach parents to instead say, ‘When you bring the kids home late, I feel like you’re not valuing my time, and I feel hurt or angry as a result." The parenting classes are taking place at the Beverly Hills Hotel. A source close to Spears said, "She’s not nervous, she’s actually looking forward to it." The source also said that Spears feels as if this might be a step in the right direction as for her and Federline getting along "for the sake of the kids."

Spears and Federline split last November after two-years of marriage and have been battling for custody of their boys ever since. Federline has custody of Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1, for now. Spears has visitation rights with the boys every other day that must be with a court-appointed monitor. Maybe the counseling will do Spears some good.