‘Sister Wives’ Recap: Christine Explains Why She and Janelle Haven’t Talked Much in ‘A While’

Christine Brown leaned on Janelle Brown after her split from their mutual ex-husband, Kody Brown, but where do they stand now?

Christine, 53, revealed during the Sunday, October 19, episode of Sister Wives that she and Janelle, 56, hadn’t talked “a lot for a while,” since moving to separate states. Christine and husband David Woolley live in Utah, while Janelle lives in North Carolina near daughter Maddie Brown and her family.

“Janelle and I work a business together and there’s been a lot of changes within the last couple of months,” Christine told the cameras, seemingly referring to selling Plexus supplements. “We used to run it more together, but really in life, we used to do everything together and we raised our kids together.”

Christine noted that since she and Janelle started to work more independently, it signified “one more step away from each other.” She added that Janelle is “going to branch off and work on her farm” and she will stick to the joint business.

Janelle started Taeda Farms with her daughter Maddie and son-in-law Caleb Brush after moving to North Carolina last year. She launched Second Chapter Coaching earlier this month. Christine, meanwhile, runs multiple rental properties and recently wrote Sister Wife: A Memoir of Faith, Family and Finding Freedom.

“I know that I’ve hurt her feelings a little bit,” Christine confessed to David. “We’re doing things more separate now. I want to be more in charge of my business now.”

She explained that although they are “trying to support each other” it feels somewhat like a “competition” at times with the business.

“We learned how to do things together. And now it’s almost like we’re learning how to do things apart,” Christine confessed. “But it’s OK because, you know, you have to move on … and we really have to live our life for the best for us.”

Christine and Janelle were sister wives for more than two decades before they both broke up with Kody, 56. Christine announced her split in November 2021 and Janelle confirmed her separation from Kody in December 2022.

Former sister wife Meri Brown, who was Kody’s first wife, revealed in January 2023 that she had also parted ways with the polygamist. Kody is still married to fourth wife Robyn Brown.

Christine and Janelle, who each welcomed six kids with Kody during their respective marriages, had remained close since their family disbanded. However, during Sunday’s episode, Christine revealed that she had been struggling with Janelle after two of her children moved to be closer to Janelle.

“It’s hard that my kids don’t want to live close to me. Yeah, absolutely,” Christine told the cameras after her son, Paedon, revealed he was relocating. “What is it about North Carolina that has people moving there? It’s insane.”

Christine admitted it was hard to see her kids move away, even if it was close to someone she still considered her sister.

“One of the best things about plural marriage is [that] what I wanted most of my kids was that relationship with their other mom,” Christine said. “I’ve got Paedon, who was so close to Janelle [he wants to move]. She’s someone that I trust. I trust her influence on Paedon.”

Despite the trust between the two women, Christine said “sometimes I feel like a crappy mom because they’re not choosing to live next to me. Sometimes I feel like Janelle is a better mom because they’re choosing to live next to her.”

Sister Wives airs on TLC Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.