Simran Joshi
In a recent episode of *Sister Wives*, Kody Brown opened up about the significant changes to his family dynamic during Thanksgiving 2023, following his breakups with Meri, Janelle, and Christine Brown. For the first time, Kody spent the holiday exclusively with his wife Robyn and their children, an experience that brought mixed emotions. While the gathering was intimate and peaceful, Kody reflected on the estrangement from his other children and the complexities of plural marriage that led to this new chapter in his life.
In 2023, Kody Brown experienced his first Thanksgiving with only his wife Robyn and their children, following his separations from Meri, Janelle, and Christine Brown. This marked a significant shift for Kody, who found himself reflecting on both the positive and negative aspects of the smaller celebration. In a confessional during the October 6 episode of *Sister Wives*, Kody shared, “This is the first Thanksgiving that Robyn and I are having with just our children alone. We have never had this before.” While he appreciated the peacefulness and respect in their smaller family unit, Kody admitted to struggling with the absence of his other children, saying, “It feels safe… but I want my other children in my life.”
Kody also expressed how the absence of his former wives allowed him and Robyn to behave more naturally as a couple. However, he noted the discomfort in past holidays when other wives, especially Meri, were present. “Robyn and I don’t behave like a married couple when my other wives are around,” Kody revealed, explaining that Robyn is sensitive to others’ feelings, which made their interactions more distant when Meri was involved. Despite the strained dynamics, Kody acknowledged the challenges of managing his plural family, reflecting on the dysfunction that had developed over the years.
Meri’s Decision to Spend Thanksgiving Alone
Meri Brown, who has distanced herself from Kody after the breakdown of their marriage, opted to spend Thanksgiving 2023 alone. While she initially had tentative plans to travel to California, they fell through, and she chose not to accept Robyn’s invitation to join her and Kody. Meri found the idea of attending awkward, stating, “I’m not going to do that. That’s just weird.” She admitted to feeling like a third wheel in their relationship, especially as Kody had previously mentioned how her presence made it uncomfortable for him to express affection toward Robyn. Meri candidly shared, “I’m not a member of the family. I just really don’t want to go be a third wheel at Robyn and Kody’s house.”
Janelle Brown expressed surprise at Meri’s decision to spend the holiday alone, given how much the family dynamic had shifted. Janelle had hoped Meri would find companionship during the holiday, reflecting, “I think Meri deserves a lot more, and I think it’s time for her to do something different.” Despite the tensions within the family, Janelle acknowledged Meri’s ongoing connection to the group, even as Meri herself seemed ready to move on from the complicated dynamics that had left her feeling like an outsider.
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