Kody Brown, the patriarch of the polygamous family featured on TLC's reality show Sister Wives, recently acknowledged making two significant errors during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the October 6, 2024 episode, Brown revealed these errors, which have had lasting consequences for his family.
The first mistake involved his strict enforcement of pandemic rules, leading to conflicts with his sons. The second was his decision not to attend his daughter Ysabel's major back surgery. These choices have contributed to the breakdown of three of his four marriages and strained relationships with several of his children.
Brown's admissions come at a time of considerable upheaval for the Brown family as they grapple with the aftermath of these pandemic-era decisions.
Kody Brown admits pandemic errors on latest Sister Wives episode
Mistake 1 - Wanting sons to move out over Covid rule compliance
Kody Brown's first admitted mistake revolves around his handling of COVID-19 precautions within the family. He implemented a stringent set of rules titled "Rules for Family Social Exposure" for the Brown household.
These guidelines included wiping groceries and other store-bought items with alcohol wipes before bringing them into the house. Additionally, family members were required to change their clothing after entering shops, other homes, or businesses.
The conflict arose when some of Kody's sons, particularly Garrison, son of Kody and his second wife Janelle, did not comply with these strict rules. Garrison continued to maintain a social life outside the home, which Kody viewed as a violation of his pandemic safety protocols. This situation led to a significant dispute within the family in Sister Wives.
Kody's response to this non-compliance was to suggest that his sons, including Garrison, move out of the family home. He even told Janelle that she should evict Garrison. This decision created tension between Kody and Janelle, as she refused to follow through with his suggestion.
The situation escalated to the point where Kody claimed that Garrison's behavior prevented him from visiting Janelle and their daughter, Savanah. This standoff contributed to the deterioration of Kody and Janelle's relationship, ultimately playing a role in their separation in 2022.
Reflecting on this incident in the Sister Wives season 19 episode 4, Kody admitted that his approach to the situation "became sort of a foolish power game."
Mistake 2 - Not attending daughter Ysabel's surgery
Kody Brown's second acknowledged mistake concerned his decision not to attend his daughter Ysabel's major back surgery. Ysabel, the daughter of Kody and his third wife, Christine, underwent surgery for scoliosis in 2021 at the age of 18. The procedure took place in New Jersey, requiring travel from the family's home in Arizona.
Christine decided to accompany Ysabel to New Jersey for the surgery. However, Kody remained in Flagstaff, citing concerns related to COVID-19. This decision meant that Ysabel faced a major medical procedure without her father's presence and support.
The impact of Kody's absence extended beyond the surgery itself. Upon Christine and Ysabel's return to Flagstaff, Kody declined to assist with Ysabel's post-surgery care. This left Christine solely responsible for managing Ysabel's recovery, adding to the strain on their relationship.
In the Sister Wives Season 19 Episode 4, Kody acknowledged the negative impact of this decision, stating that not going to Ysabel's surgery "put some bad blood between a bunch of us."
The repercussions of this choice were significant. Christine later cited this incident as a major factor in her decision to leave Kody in 2021, marking the end of their spiritual marriage and further fracturing the family unit in Sister Wives.
Conclusion
Kody Brown's admissions regarding his mistakes during the COVID-19 pandemic reveal his decisions' profound and lasting impact on the Brown family. His strict enforcement of pandemic rules and his absence from Ysabel's surgery have contributed to the dissolution of three of his four marriages and the estrangement of several of his children.
These events have reshaped the brown family structure in Sister Wives, with many relationships severely damaged and the future of the family's dynamics remaining uncertain.