‘Sister Wives’: Kody Brown’s COVID Rules Tore Apart Almost His Marriages, Except for 1

There has been much debate among Sister Wives viewers about how much Kody Brown’s COVID rules broke the core of his family. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic kept members of the Brown family at a distance from one another. Thereafter, the family unit and Kody’s marriages were different. Was it Kody’s rules keeping them apart, or was something more sinister at play?

How much of an impact did Kody Brown’s rules have on a family that was already fractured?

The COVID-19 pandemic shocked families to the core worldwide. Clans were split as fears about the virus grew.

However, Kody Brown appeared to take that one step further. He devised a set of rules under which Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn Brown stayed in their own homes with their children, and he would be the only one traveling between homes to spend time with each family.

But Kody’s plan had flaws. He never quarantined between homes. Then, he criticized Janelle’s sons for continuing to work and attend school as the pandemic raged.

Kody blamed Gabriel and Garrison for not adhering to his rules. Therefore, he stated he would only visit once they fell in line or they would have to move out.

Meri, for the most part, quarantined solo as her child, Leon, lived with their partner Audrey. Christine had three kids at home, who were finishing up school.

As for Robyn, she received the bulk of Kody’s attention as he made her home his primary residence. He focused entirely on her and her family, giving her the lion’s share of his time while leaving other wives behind, further breaking their family bond.

However, Kody’s rules went way beyond what the CDC recommended. He enforced a series of mandates that seemed impossible for the Brown family to follow.

But the rules seemed to benefit one person in particular, Robyn Brown, who was so intent on following them that she found favor with Kody and he, in turn, remained full-time at her home with their shared children. Thereafter, Robyn and Kody’s bond was impenetrable, leaving the other wives, and their children, to fend for themselves.

What were Kody Brown’s rules?

Kody Brown appeared to abide by his own rules regarding COVID-19. He said he faithfully followed all his mandated rules at home, but did he?

In a scene from a 2021 Sister Wives episode, Kody, and his wives Janelle, Meri, Christine, and Robyn Brown discussed his rules regarding the pandemic. The clan was at odds over how to handle the health crisis.

“Where were these rules when I asked for months and months and months, ‘How do we get together?’ Nobody offered these up,” Janelle said in a confessional.

“Yeah, some of these are great, but clean mail with alcohol wipes?” says Janelle. “I’m looking at these rules, and I’m astounded.”

“No movie theaters, bars, fitness centers, or restaurants,” she continued. “Kids can see friends if they maintaining 10-foot social distance and only for limited times. Clean mail with alcohol wipes.”

“I don’t think these rules are realistic, at all, for real-world,” Christine criticizes. Robyn added insight into how she managed to keep Kody close by. In a confessional, she admitted the rules seem “hard to follow,” but she would do it “if it means having Kody in my home.”

Subsequently, the wives and fans later found out that Kody and Robyn had a nanny who continued to visit their home to help their younger kids with school. He also officiated a friend’s wedding, where he was seen dancing, unmasked, and not social distancing, among guests.

Who was really behind Kody’s COVID rules?

Sister Wives fans have historically been split over who devised Kody Brown’s extensive list of COVID rules. Some viewers believe Kody created the list, while others think Robyn Brown.

This topic was addressed in an episode of Sister Wives. Kody defended that he had a head wife who made the rules, and Robyn denied having anything to do with them.

Christine asked, “So if we follow these rules in my house, we’ll be able to get together for Christmas Day?” as she looked at Robyn, who, in turn, pointed at Kody.

“Are you the head of the family?” he asked Robyn. “It’s pissing me off. They’re looking to Robyn for some kind of approval.”

He continued, “I don’t have a head wife in this family. Now, I’ve had women try to be.”

Robyn subsequently stated it’s “ridiculous” for anyone to think she came up with Kody’s rules to ensure he stayed in her home. “I know Kody’s like this,” she said. He’s not gonna have a wife come in and try to tell him what to do. He’s just not.”

Sister Wives is currently on hiatus. Season 19 is scheduled to air on TLC.