Mykelti Padron, a star of the reality television show *Sister Wives*, has publicly addressed criticism she received regarding her parenting choices during a recent road trip. The backlash arose after she shared a social media post showing her three children—daughter Avalon and twin sons Archer and Ace—using iPads during a four-hour car journey.
In a video posted on January 8, 2024, Padron, 29, expressed her frustration over the negative comments she received. She described being inundated with messages from “mom-shamers” who disapproved of her decision to allow her children to use electronic devices for entertainment. “I hate when I get judged for how I raise my kids,” she stated. “I got some serious hate comments recently. I actually got hate DMs, massive amounts of them. A lot. And it’s because I gave my kids iPads.”
The trip was intended for the Padron family to visit Mykelti’s younger sister, Ysabel. During the journey, both Mykelti and her husband, Antonio Padron, permitted their children to use the iPads to keep them occupied. She defended her choice, noting that adults often use their phones for entertainment while traveling. “You know, I’m a straight-up passenger princess,” she remarked.
Padron emphasized that her children were safe and engaged during the drive and that the usage of iPads was merely a short-term solution for a four-hour trip. “They’re fine,” she stated, dismissing the harsh criticism she received. “I don’t like that we get judged so hard as a mom for trying to entertain my kids.”
The video resonated with many viewers, leading to supportive comments in response. One viewer remarked, “Seriously?? Who isn’t giving their children an iPad or smartphone on drives??” Another echoed, “You don’t owe anyone an explanation. We are all out here surviving and doing the best we can.” A third supporter highlighted the irony of the criticism, stating, “They are writing hate comments to you… FROM THEIR PHONE. It’s ridiculous. I will never understand the iPad hate from other moms.”
Mykelti’s journey has been documented in *Sister Wives*, which showcases her unique family dynamics. The series details her life as one of the six children of Kody Brown and Christine Brown. In a previous episode aired in October 2025, Mykelti discussed her recent move from Utah, where Christine now lives with her husband, David Woolley. She expressed the emotional toll of relocating, stating, “Every time I talk about moving to my mom, I break her heart just a little bit more. She’s really sad. She’s really heartbroken.”
The couple, married since December 17, 2016, made the decision to move as Antonio pursued career opportunities in chess. He described their new location as “the chess capital of the U.S.” and expressed excitement about the move, stating, “I’m someone who works in chess, makes content, and teaches and coaches. For me, moving out there is so exciting because that’s like the hub.”
Mykelti Padron’s experience highlights the challenges parents face in the digital age, particularly regarding their choices in managing screen time for children. The response to her video suggests a growing conversation about societal expectations of parenting in contemporary family life.
