The Yorkshire shepherdess and the snowflake generation

[Marcia1989]

www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-9438725/Our-Yorkshire-Farm-star-Amanda-Owen-gave-birth-eighth-child-husband-ASLEEP-upstairs.html

Sorry for link to the Daily Mail. It was the only non-paywalled article but her comments are also reported in The Times and The Telegraph.

She runs a sheep farm in a remote part of Yorkshire and has 9 kids. She thinks that parents do not raise their children to be sufficiently independent, to look after themselves. She didn't really do home-schooling with them because she doesn't want to be a helicopter parent - she expects them to just get on with it. She expects all the kids to help on the farm and they don't really do devices/TV etc. Having watched her TV series, I agree that her kids seem admirably self-sufficient and mature and I do think generally it's really good for children to have some responsibility. But, I do also wonder whether a lack of individual attention is detrimental to them. And there will be some kids who don't get on with it, and is it really right to just leave them to it?

What does everyone think?

@middleager

How does the children's education work?

They go by bus to state schools. The eldest is in university studying medical science and the next is working as an engineering apprentice aiming at a career servicing heavy machinery.

'They go by bus to state schools'

Imagine that, a 50 mile bus journey twice a day on narrow windy roads. Just as well those kids are so very hardy and full of resilience 🙄.

She did say it’s OUR fault. Implying it’s a generational issue. Which it is.

@Lantanacamara

Spare I don't dislike women at all . I used to like them, bought her books (so supported her) but then got to stage that they were appearing absolutely everywhere and Amanda's claims did not match her behaviour/lifestyle. I realized it was all just a clever marketing ploy to soften the nation into thinking they were a salt of the earth, hardworking, broke family. Hardworking, yes without a doubt. Broke? Not by my book. And I hasten to add that I don't resent that at all, but just like the Radfords, be honest about it.

They were probably broke when they were just farming. Isn't it a good thing that she has found another way to support her family so that they can keep farming and living on a farm?

@JaniieJones

'They go by bus to state schools'

Imagine that, a 50 mile bus journey twice a day on narrow windy roads. Just as well those kids are so very hardy and full of resilience 🙄.

What do you think they should do? Move closer to the school? Many children who live in built up areas spend just as long in the car going to school and other extra curricular activities.

@bendmeoverbackwards

I think there is something a bit wrong with expecting or wanting children to be independent at a young age. Our job as parents is to raise independent adults, while children are young they do and should depend on their parents or care givers.

As the Owen children do, of course. They are a very close family. Every child is encouraged to develop whatever interests or skills they wish, (as the older two have done) and they all have some job or other round the home from looking after chickens to feeding lambs or mending bikes.

You should watch the TV series before judging. (starts again on the 19th) They are healthy active caring and articulate; a credit to their upbringing.

Being an independent child is not the same as being an independent adult. It's hard to go from dependent child to independent adult on your 18th birthday! It should be a process, which it does seem to be for these children.

A lot of children/teens now aren't as capable as they could be as they haven't been taught age appropriate skills.