Britney Spears gave a waiter $100 after he helped calm down her five-year-old son Jayden.

The 'Hold It Against Me' singer was out eating at a restaurant in San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles with Jayden and six-year-old son Sean when her youngest began crying and wouldn't stop.

However, an intrepid employee at the establishment saw the problem and brought over crayons to distract the youngster, impressing Britney who gave him the generous gift after she finished with her meal.

An onlooker told the National Enquirer magazine: "Britney just couldn't calm her tyke down.

"But a sympathetic waiter, not one assigned to her table, helped save the day when he came over with a box of crayons and started drawing animation action characters. Jayden's tears dried up instantly as he and his brother got totally absorbed and happy." Britney - who became engaged to long-term boyfriend and manager Jason Trawick in Las Vegas last December - gave the money in addition to the tip for the meal.

The star is currently believed to be in negotiations to become a judge on the US version of 'X Factor', following the departure of Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul from the panel.