I feel like Meri got placed on her shoulders this pressure to prove whether polygamy is great or not. I feel like she had intense Empty Nest Syndrome during a very focal point in her marriage. She gave Robyn and her kids security but it doesn’t mean something didn’t change inside of her. And then someone appeared that spoke exactly what she wanted to hear. And gave a reason to why she was feeling depressed and anxious. That’s what I don’t think people really comprehend. When you go into a deeper state of depression or anxiety your assessment of reality is distorted. She would have all of a sudden had endorphins flowing and that person was constructing an existence where “he” was freeing Meri. And it wasn’t real. But at which point Meri realized all of it, it was too late.

Also I want to talk about her daughter coming out. I have heard that criticism. Please keep in mind Meri is from Utah, she didn’t exist in a world where Mariah would be coming out. And then the show ate up her coming out for drama. Right when everything else they experienced in the past was occurring. Mariah would have been home knowing she had to live her authentic life and Meri would have been distant during the catfish. It’s brutal. Every reaction would have been judged. Everyone says “Meri made it about her”. She doesn’t edit the show. A bunch of stuff is filmed and it’s what is picked. And the story of a polygamist mom accepting her queer daughter is ratings gold. Meri processed it, acknowledged it was hard (which remember what world she exists in) and has since embraced them. She also has supported the LGBTQ community. Meri grew and saw her daughter’s hurt and also gave her unconditional love when she became present. I admire their storyline and Meri’s honesty. Shaming moms for how they process their kids coming out stops the conversation. We want moms to talk, learn and understand how they have been misinformed. I am proud of that storyline.

Look Kody and Meri had become complicit in their marriage. And it was highlighted when he couldn’t access her once she already had committed to talking to that person. Meri takes accountability. And I think Kody has now too. It bothers me she is given so much hate and pressure. If Kody and Meri’s relationship doesn’t work out that doesn’t change the success or failure of polygamy in their family. That family has still created kids who have felt love. Kids who want to return home. Ones that go out and do honestly try to be kinder people. Just spent time in Vegas and I had two retail ladies spoke about enjoying their family.

Look life isn’t easy. And Meri and Kody have seemed to find their way back to each other. I just feel the drama created on the show confused the audience. It isn’t always that intense as you can tell by the smile on those kids faces. Meri was holding little Solomon’s hand last episode and you could see the love and care.

The hate is ridiculous. And a lot feels like being uneducated about polygamy and their individual marriages. And this need to blame one single person. As oppose to have empathy for each experience and talk about what we share rather than what divides.