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Britney loses custody bid£Ĵaccused of chaotic parenting
1/11/2007 10:44

Britney Spears has failed to regain custody of her young children, following a parenting coach's review that says the troubled star "rarely engaged with the children in conversation or play," media reported Tuesday.

Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon ruled on Tuesday that Spears could have overnight visits with her kids twice a week -- if she has regular drug and alcohol tests, childproofs her home and buckles the kids in car seats.

And all the visits will be monitored.

In his decision, Gordon repeatedly cited some details of a report by parenting coach Lisa Hacker, who said Brit skipped out on three court-ordered sessions.

And when Hacker did get a chance to observe Mommy Spears in action, she feels Spears "loves her children." But the 25-year-old had "a lack of general attention at times" and didn't seem to have "child-centered" interaction, Hacker said in the report.

"Ms. Spears rarely engaged with the children in either conversation or play," Hacker wrote.

"It seems that her choices are dependent more upon what she wants to do at any given time rather what would be more enjoyable for the children," she added.

When the kids are with their mom, "the environment at the house ranged from chaotic to almost somber with little communication at all."

The pop star also must continue meeting with a court-appointed parenting coach, Gordon ruled.

He also said Spears would have to work out a holiday schedule with her ex-husband, Kevin Federline.

Gordon previously said there was evidence that Spears is a "habitual, frequent and continuous" user of drugs and alcohol.



Xinhua/Agencies