Spears' role as mom expands after epic meltdown

Attorneys for the pop singer and ex-husband Kevin Federline reached an agreement Friday that allows Spears three visits a week from Sean Preston and Jayden James, including two overnights with potential for more. If all goes well, she could have 2-year-old Sean Preston and 1-year-old Jayden James roughly 40 percent of the time, her attorney, Laura Wasser, told The Associated Press.

The agreement not only increases Spears' time with her sons, but also removed need for a trial scheduled for next month to resolve lingering visitation and financial issues.

The positive change on the home front comes as Spears' career also seems to be rebounding. She is spending the summer working on a new album, recently taped an appearance that will be shown during Madonna's upcoming tour, and made a couple of well-received cameos on the television show "How I Met Your Mother" earlier this year.

Spears' increased involvement in her boys' lives was almost unimaginable in January, when the 26-year-old twice had to be removed from her home by authorities and was committed to a psychiatric ward.

Federline was awarded full custody shortly thereafter and Spears did not see her sons for nearly two months.

Since then, Spears has gradually been granted longer visits. In late June, she was was alotted one overnight visit a week with her sons, Wasser said.

Spears will gain more overnight visits between now and the end of the year, Wasser said. The agreement also includes a "slight increase" in child support payments to Federline and covers his attorney's fees.

"The fact is, it's a win for the family," Wasser said.

Federline's attorney, Mark Kaplan, whose fees have been paid by Spears and have been the subject of disputes, also lauded the outcome Friday.