In Sister Wives Season 19, episode 4, aired on October 6, 2024, Robyn Brown voiced concern over Kody Brown's strained relationship with his children. The long-running TLC show continues to document the family tensions that have emerged following Kody's split from three of his wives: Meri, Janelle, and Christine Brown.
As the Brown family struggles to navigate their new dynamic, Robyn is seen urging Kody to make more efforts to reconnect with their children. Robyn questioned Kody’s reluctance to reach out to his kids, saying,
“I just don’t understand why you’re not like, like just talking to kids as much as you can. Like, like, I just don’t know why you’re not reaching out to them more.”
The episode followed Robyn’s attempt to bring attention to Kody’s lack of communication with his children after the split. Despite her pleas, Kody explained that the situation had grown complicated, with some of his children no longer wanting to engage with him.
Sister Wives: Robyn's concern about Kody's relationship with the children
Robyn's primary concern throughout episode 4 of Sister Wives was Kody’s hesitation to maintain communication with his children. During a conversation between the couple, Robyn repeatedly questioned Kody’s decision to stay distant, emphasizing that his children were in pain.
She stated, “They’re hurting,” hoping to remind Kody that his lack of involvement affected them emotionally. However, Kody pointed out the strained relationship between him and his kids.
“This has been going on for so long. They’re trash talking,” Kody remarked.
Kody also referenced a family wedding that deepened the divide, stating,
“There’s a couple of my kids who wouldn’t even engage me at the wedding. Some of them wouldn’t even talk to me.”
This communication breakdown left Kody feeling rejected by some of his children.
Kody’s perspective on the issue
Kody stated that his children were intentionally leaving him out of their lives. He believed they were trying to punish him, explaining to Robyn and the producers that some of his children had outright rejected him. Kody specifically mentioned his daughter, Madison, saying,
“She never told me she was pregnant. She never told me she was going to have a baby.”
This revelation was a sore point for Kody, who felt excluded from significant family milestones. To Kody, his absence in his children’s lives is not by choice but a result of ongoing tension and misunderstanding. He told the producers,
“They’re purposefully leaving me out of their lives to punish me for a crime I did not commit. I am only guilty of not falling badly in love with their mothers.”
Kody further expressed frustration over the gossip that has driven a wedge between him and his children. He stated, “Our family was killed by gossip,” referencing the rumors within the family that contributed to the current situation.
Janelle's perspective on Kody's involvement in the series Sister Wives
Sister Wives star Janelle, Kody’s ex-wife and mother to some of his estranged children, also weighed in on the situation. She provided insight into why the children were upset with Kody, suggesting that his treatment of the family was the root cause.
“The only thing the kids are upset with him is the way he has treated his family, the way he has completely like ditched out,” Janelle explained during her conversation with producers.
She also spoke about their daughter, Madison, who had little contact with Kody, particularly after the birth of her daughter, Evie. Janelle said,
“Cody has not been there since Evie was born, and Evie’s three and a half.”
This absence from important family events has fueled the children’s resentment towards Kody. In response, Kody dismissed the idea that he could always be present in his grandchildren's lives, especially when the family lives in different parts of the country. He told the producers,
“It’s unrealistic expectation for grandparents to be in their grandchildren’s lives all the time, especially if you move your children to an entirely different coast.”
As Sister Wives Season 19 progresses, the fractured Brown family continues to navigate the emotional challenges of their separation. With accusations of gossip, betrayal, and emotional distance, it remains uncertain how or when the family might mend their relationships.
The next episode of Sister Wives will air on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at 10:00 pm ET/PT.