Janelle Brown, a star of the reality show “Sister Wives,” recently celebrated her son Gabriel, known as Gabe, turning 22. This joyous occasion occurs against the backdrop of ongoing tension between Gabe and his father, Kody Brown. In this article, we delve into the details of this birthday celebration and the complex dynamics within the Brown family.
On a Wednesday, Janelle Brown shared a heartwarming montage video of Gabe on his 22nd birthday. The video featured Gabe shoveling snow, spending time with a canine companion, and enjoying the great outdoors. Janelle captioned the clip with warm wishes for her son, saying, “Happy Birthday @gaberown! I hope your next year is better than ever.” The video was set to a melodic rendition of “Happy Birthday.” She continued by expressing her gratitude for having a son who is incredibly caring and compassionate, always looking out for his mother and possessing a tender heart.
View this post on Instagram
The birthday message from Janelle comes at a time when the family’s strained relationships have been a central theme on the TLC series, “Sister Wives.” On a recent episode, Gabe and his brother, Garrison Brown, 24, openly discussed their discontent with their father, Kody Brown, particularly regarding the handling of COVID-related issues. Gabe revealed how their attempts to communicate their concerns were met with resistance, leading to a breakdown in their relationship with their father. He explained, “Me and Garrison are at odds with my dad because when we expressed our discontent at how things were going with COVID, I was met with just a wall, and there was no line of dialogue. I think that that is what really drove the wedge between us.”
In a confessional, Janelle shared her concerns about her sons’ emotional well-being. She mentioned that Gabriel is particularly sensitive, feeling things deeply but often staying silent. Garrison, on the other hand, has been noticeably less cheerful and appears to be wrestling with his emotions.
Christine Brown, another wife in the Brown family, provided her perspective on the evolving family dynamic. She noted that her children were more accustomed to Kody’s absence from their lives, whereas Janelle’s children had a closer relationship with their father. As a result, the strain on Janelle’s kids is more pronounced.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Kody Brown admitted to feeling “powerless” when it comes to bridging the gap with his older children. He acknowledged that as children grow into teenagers and adults, the dynamics change significantly. He emphasized the difference in his relationship with younger children versus older ones and explained that he lacked the authority to dictate household rules.
In conclusion, Janelle Brown’s heartfelt birthday celebration for her son Gabriel is a poignant moment, especially when considering the underlying family tensions depicted on “Sister Wives.” The evolving relationships within the Brown family continue to be a central focus of the series, offering viewers a candid look into the challenges and complexities of polygamous family dynamics.