Summary
Meri Brownhas been reinventing herself since the previous season ofSister Wives, but it doesn’t change her treatment of Paedon Brown. As the first wife of Kody Brown, Meri only had one child, Leon Brown. However, she was involved in the lives of Janelle Brown, Christine Brown, and Robyn Brown’s children. The Brown family functioned as one unit, with theSister Wivestaking on different roles. Where Janelle worked outside the home, Meri and Christine took on household tasks, including rearing children. WhileMeri could be a great mom, she fell short with Paedon and some other siblings.
Paedon, born on July 22, 2025, is the third child of Kody and Christine and the seventh child overall in the lineup of 18. Like the rest of the family, Paedon grew up in Utah and later moved to Las Vegas with his family. After graduating from high school, he completed National Guard Bootcamp in 2019 and moved to Flagstaff with his brother, Garrison Brown, who later tragically passed away. However, he hasn’t been shy about his discomfort with his stepmother, Meri. Ahead ofSister Wivesseason 19, it’s time to delve into their relationship.
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Paedon Brown Said Meri Was Mean
She Treated Her Stepchildren Poorly
Paedon has openly discussed his troubled relationship with Meri. In an exclusive interview withJohn Yatesfrom 2023, Paedon described how he and some of his siblings never felt comfortable around Meri.Paedon indicated that Meri’s behavior contributed to a sense of uneaseand that he actively avoided mentioning her in family discussions due to the negative experiences he had with her. This sentiment was shared by some of his siblings, especially Maddie Brown Brush, reinforcing the strained dynamics within the Brown family.
25
Hometown
Lehi, Utah
Paedon didn’t mince words in the interview. When John commented that Meri could be mean, Paedon responded, “Abrasive and kind of mean are not strong enough words, they are not aggressive enough words,” continuing, “Meri was not nice… Abrasive is not enough of a word to explain what Meri was to a few of us children specifically.” While Meri was portrayed as negative on the show, she was never seen as abusive, making the allegations shocking.
“Meri was not nice… Abrasive is not enough of a word to explain what Meri was to a few of us children specifically.”
When asked if Meri’s behavior towards the kids went past verbal, Paedon said that the treatment was “so far past verbal,” though he didn’t give additional details. Alleging that Meri’s action went past verbal mistreatment is concerning, as it implies there was physical abuse within the Brown family. However, this hasn’t been confirmed.
Paedon Brown Didn’t Feel Safe With Meri
Robyn Alerted Kody To Her Behavior
Paedon’s commentary during the 2023 interview alleging that Meri was “abrasive and kind of mean” indicated that Paedon and some of his siblings didn’t feel safe around Meri. The 25-year-old further supported his claims by referencing a now-deleted 2019 Twitter feud involving his sister Maddie, who had described an unnamed family member as a “monster” and an “abusive human,” according toUs Weekly. AlthoughMaddie did not directly name Meri, the timing of her tweets led many to believe she was referring to her stepmother. In response, Paedon alleged he and his siblings “never felt safe” around Meri.
Meri’s alleged treatment of her stepchildren is concerning and indicates a toxic environment in the Brown family behind the scenes.
According toPeople, Kody’s attention was brought to the situation. Paedon addressed the question in the YouTube interview, saying that Kody was not aware of the situation with Meri for years, but Robyn noticed the strained relations and notified her husband. Unlike many other family members, Paedon viewed Robyn as a solid stepmother because of her care for him and his siblings. “I will never hate Robyn because she opened several eyes and because of that, I will never hate her,” Paedon said in his interview, defending Robyn.
Meri only ever responded indirectly to Paedon’s accusations. Following Paedon’s claims,Meritook to Instagram on her 52nd birthday, expressing gratitude to her friends and highlighting her focus on positive future endeavors. She did not directly address the abuse allegations in her posts but emphasized that she was grateful to friends who know her “heart and true self.“ Since the claims,Meri has embarked on a journey of self-discovery and growththat has usurped the controversial rumors of her alleged poor treatment of her stepchildren.
Meri’s weight-loss transformationand creation of Worthy Up are commendable endeavors that deserve attention and praise. However, it’s important not to forget the allegations of her poor treatment of Paedon and other Brown family siblings. If Meri was indeed mean and verbally abusive, she needs to apologize to her stepchildren and attempt to mend the relationships. While the Brown family dynamic is undoubtedly difficult and fraught, it’s important for them to find healing in the wake of Garrison’s tragic passing. Hopefully, Meri can make amends with Paedon and Maddie in their adult lives afterSister Wives.
Sister Wivesis available to stream on Discovery Plus and MAX.
Sister Wives
Cast
Sister Wives is a TV series created for TLC that follows Kody Brown and his four wives as they raise their eighteen children and tackle the challenges associated with their massive family dynamic and the stigma that comes with their way of life.
