Ep 15. While the Wives Are Away

The episode "While the Wives Are Away" from the sixth season of Sister Wives follows the drama and daily routine of living in a polygamous family. The episode begins with the wives, Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn, all taking separate trips out of town, leaving patriarch Kody behind with the kids. Kody experiences a bit of a culture shock as he navigates taking care of the family while juggling his own personal activities.

The episode jumps between Kody managing the family and the wives' trips, giving a unique glimpse into the inner-workings of the Brown family. Kody, a veteran father of 18 children, is no stranger to taking care of the kids, but he quickly realizes how much work is involved without his wives to help him. He struggles to keep up with his daily routine, which includes shuttling kids to school, extracurricular activities, and attempting to run his own business.

Meanwhile, the wives are left to their own devices as they travel across the country for their separate trips. Meri goes to visit her daughter at college, while Janelle goes on a canyoneering adventure in Zion National Park. Christine travels to meet up with her sister in New York City, who she hasn't seen in years. Finally, Robyn takes a trip to see her family in Wyoming, sparking some jealousy within the other wives due to her closeness with Kody.

While the wives are away, Kody also deals with some family drama. His son Dayton is preparing to leave for college and is struggling with the idea of not having his father around. Kody tries to support his son during this challenging time but also feels the weight of the responsibility for not being present in his son's life as much as he would like. Additionally, Kody has some business issues to attend to, which adds more stress to his already busy life.

One of the main themes of this episode is the wives missing their children and each other. They express how difficult it is to be away from the family they have created together. Janelle even jokes that she should have just stayed home as she misses being with her family so much. The wives also express how much they appreciate Kody's hard work in taking care of the children while they are away. They recognize that without Kody, it would be nearly impossible to keep their family running smoothly.

The episode also touches on the unique challenges of living in a polygamous family. Kody discusses how each wife has different needs and how he tries to balance meeting those needs while also making sure everyone is getting their fair share of his attention and time. The wives express that their sisterhood with one another is what keeps them going and helps them through the challenges of their lifestyle. They also talk about how much they value the time they have as a family and how grateful they are for all of their children.

Overall, "While the Wives Are Away" gives viewers an inside look into the complex and busy lives of the Brown family. The episode is filled with heartwarming moments as well as challenges that the family must overcome. It highlights the importance of family and the bonds that tie them together, as well as the resilience and adaptability required to maintain a large polygamous family.