Britney Spears wished her younger son, Jayden James Federline, a happy 20th birthday on Instagram Saturday, telling him she hopes to be "the best mommy in the world" as he grows older.
The 44-year-old pop star shares Jayden James with her ex-husband Kevin Federline, 48, along with their elder son, Sean Preston, who is set to turn 21 on Monday, September 14. Jayden James's own birthday fell on September 11.
"Happy birthday to my handsome young boy," Spears wrote in the caption. "Oh dear lord we have this beautiful thing called life in front of us, it's such a beautiful delicate thing." She added, "I hope I can be the best mommy in the world every day of ur life!!!!"
The lengthy tribute included a present-day photo of Jayden James speaking on stage at an event, alongside an adorable throwback snap from his childhood.
A marriage that ended in divorce
Spears met Federline in 2004. The pair married later that same year, but split and filed for divorce two years later, in 2006. Federline, a dancer and rapper, has raised both boys largely in the years since.
Reconnecting after the conservatorship
Spears has worked hard to rebuild her relationship with her sons since her 13-year conservatorship ended in November 2021. The arrangement, put in place after a mental health crisis in 2008, had given her father control over her personal and financial affairs for more than a decade before a court terminated it.
Earlier this year, Sean Preston began using his famous mother's surname on social media rather than his father's, going by "Sean P Spears" on Instagram instead of Sean Preston, according to TMZ.
Jayden's move back to Los Angeles
Both boys relocated to Hawaii with their father in 2023. But Federline revealed in his memoir, "You Thought You Knew," which came out last year, that Jayden had since moved back to Los Angeles to chase his music dreams, according to E! News.
Federline described his younger son as "brimming with creative energy." Reflecting on watching both boys grow up, he wrote, "Watching both of them grow into themselves has filled me with pride. We've done everything we could to prepare them for life, and I know they're ready."
Sean Preston, who is almost 21, walked the runway over the summer alongside his younger brother. In recent months Spears has shared videos and photos of herself with both sons on social media, following their reconciliation after a years-long estrangement.
DUI arrest and intervention
The birthday tribute comes months after a difficult stretch for Spears, who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in March. She later pleaded guilty at her arraignment and was sentenced to 12 months of probation.
Jayden James and Sean Preston reportedly staged an intervention for their mother following the arrest, which prompted her to check into rehab. "The boys started to get involved. They're the only ones she listens to, and they were so loving, so kind, but also so firm. This was non-negotiable to them," a source previously told the Daily Mail.
Spears later described the DUI episode as a "blessing in disguise," reflecting on her "spiritual journey" in an Instagram post last month.
