Christine Brown, a prominent figure from the reality show Sister Wives, has publicly criticized her former husband, Kody Brown, labeling him a poor husband and father. Kody’s journey into a polygamous lifestyle began in the 1990s, marking his marriages to Meri, Janelle, and Christine. Throughout these relationships, he aspired to serve as a devout patriarch, aiming to cultivate a large family. Notably, Kody has one child with Meri, six children with Janelle, and six children with Christine. In 2010, he took a significant step by marrying Robyn Brown, who has added two children to his family dynamic.
While Kody initially established himself as a supportive father, his relationships with his children have deteriorated over time. Many of his once-close connections have faltered, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, as disagreements over guidelines led to conflicts with Janelle’s adult sons, Gabriel and Garrison. Furthermore, Kody’s relationship with his daughter, Madison Brush, has also suffered; many of his children have distanced themselves after leaving home. As it stands in 2025, Kody’s closest relationships are primarily with the children he shares with Robyn.
Kody’s Attempts to Manage Public Perception
Voices from Kody’s Children





Between the airing of seasons 17 and 18 of Sister Wives, Kody parted ways with Christine, Janelle, and Meri, opting for a more monogamous relationship with Robyn. The fallout from these relationships prompted critical statements from his ex-wives. In a revealing interview in 2023, their son, Paedon Brown, disclosed startling assertions about Kody’s attempts to control his children’s public personas through contractual stipulations that favored his interests. He mentioned that Kody sought to impose restrictions on any negative commentary about him in their contracts.
Paedon voiced concerns that Kody’s actions were aimed at convincing network executives to enforce rules that would silence their critical voices. He emphasized that there was contention between Kody and Christine regarding this desire, with Christine opposing any attempts to enforce control over their children’s narratives. Paedon articulated that Kody aimed to restrict the children from expressing any negative sentiments about him.
Kody’s Rigid Authority Style
Kody’s View of Family Authority
Kody’s difficulties in communicating with his children appear to stem from a rigid approach to parenting, marked by his anger issues. As his children matured and began asserting their independence, Kody often perceived their autonomy as a challenge to his authority, escalating tensions. He consistently sought to maintain a dominant position within the family, resulting in friction as his sons ventured into adulthood.
In a candid TikTok video from 2022, Paedon articulated a perspective on his father’s authoritative claims, stating, “Any man of the house that has to say, ‘I am the man of the house!’ is no true man of the house.”This comment suggested Kody’s expectation for his family to reverence him without question, though such reminders hinted at insecurities regarding his leadership within the household. His impatience and quick temper likely contributed to a lack of respect from his children, further complicating family dynamics.
The Impact of Reality TV on Family Relationships
Absent When Needed: Kody’s Missed Opportunities





Strained relationships with his daughters suggest areas of growth for Kody as a father. He initially shared a close bond with many of his children, particularly those from Christine and Janelle. However, Kody’s controversial choices, including a notable absence during his daughter Ysabel’s scoliosis surgery, severely impacted their relationships. His decision to prioritize quarantine over being present for his child’s significant procedure reflected poorly on his parental commitments.
Moreover, Kody’s preference for lavish gifts for his children with Robyn during the holiday season ignited further discontent among his other children. In 2023, Gwendlyn Brown, one of his daughters, openly expressed her ambivalence towards Kody. While acknowledging that he is kind in person, she admitted to experiencing feelings of dislike for him after watching his actions on television.
Seeking Reconciliation with His Children
Kody’s Path to Reconnection
Kody’s tumultuous relationships with his children can be traced back to his challenging dynamics with Janelle, Meri, and Christine. Despite this, he remains hopeful for reconciliation with his children. In the latest season of Sister Wives, Kody expressed a desire for stronger connections and a willingness to let his kids be the ones to reach out to him. Conversely, Robyn emphasized that Kody should take responsibility and make the initial move towards mending these fractured relationships, even if it requires him to approach each child directly.
While Robyn’s suggestions may have stirred controversy in the past, her call for Kody to actively pursue his children is both practical and necessary. Understanding that his kids lead busy lives as young adults, Robyn pushes for Kody to take proactive steps rather than waiting for them to reach out first. This perspective highlights a crucial understanding: Kody must take the initiative to rebuild connections if he wishes to restore family harmony.
Wife |
Age |
Married |
Divorced |
Children |
Meri Brown |
53 |
1990 |
2022 |
1 |
Janelle Brown |
55 |
1993 |
2022 |
6 (1 deceased) |
Christine Brown |
52 |
1994 |
2021 |
6 |
Robyn Brown |
45 |
2010 |
— |
5 (3 from previous marriage) |
For fans of Sister Wives, the series is available for streaming on the Discovery+ platform.
Sources: John Yates/YouTube, Paedon Brown/TikTok, TLC/Instagram