Lynne Spears praises Britney's dad

Britney Spears' mom, Lynne has praised ex-husband Jamie for 'stepping up to the plate' with their troubled daughter -- after he took control of the pop wreck's affairs.

"Jamie had to change his whole routine. Lynne sings his praises. He has been such a rock. He has stepped up to the plate," a family friend says.

"He's gathered a team of reputable people who are around [Britney] now.

"She's not well, but for the first time in a long time she has people around her who really care about her."

And as well as caring for 26-year-old Britney, Lynne also wants to spend time with her 16-year-old, pregnant daughter Jamie Lynn -- and is splitting her time between Louisiana and California. She is currently back in Los Angeles.

"She has to spend time between L.A. and Kentwood. As a mother she feels needed in both places," the source tells American magazine People. "She's doing whatever she can to help both girls.

"She's got that maternal instinct, and it's in high gear."

And Britney's recent visits with her two young sons, Preston, 2, and one-year-old Jayden James, have been a huge positive for the Spears family.

Adds the source: "Lynne talked to Jamie, and he said it was a good visit.

"[Britney] slipped into that motherly mode.

"They picked up right where they left off. She still has a long way to go [to get better], but that's what we hope and pray for ... Lynne and Jamie want their child to be whole again."