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An insider tells Page Six that while Britney and ex Kevin Federline chat every couple of days - mostly about Sean Preston and Jayden James - "Kevin will not let them [the kids] speak to her until she gets help." Nevertheless, "he makes sure she knows they miss her." Britney apparently has called Kevin's nanny repeatedly, "begging her to let her talk to the boys, to no avail."

And what about Britney's late appearances to court recently? "The entire experience is scary for her," says the insider. “Britney has panic attacks when she has to go to court. She really does love the boys, and wants to make sure she can see them, but her fear keeps her from doing what she knows she should."

Thankfully, Kevin "is beginning to understand that she has an emotional issue with it."

Let's hope these two can find a way to work things out, for the sake of their little children.