Our Yorkshire Farm

[sniffingthewax]

Have watched this family for years and read her books. Age is really catching up on Clive, he can hardly bend over now, it is very apparent in this new series. I don't like how the programme is becoming more contrived, it's obvious a lot of it is staged for the camera.

[Doubleraspberry]

those crticising what have you done with your life?

You’re kidding, right?

[HowlsMovingBungalow]

To all those who've not read her books - her first autobiography popped up on my google book library today for 99p - The Yorkshire Sheperdess. It is a nice pleasant read. She certainly worked her backside off as a teen.

[embolass]

Clive using the one mug for all the children to drink from at teatime had me in stiches. Then "let's get a proper look at her in the kitchen" as the new Shetland pony is led through the front door, love it!!

[sniffingthewax]

embo I watched an old episode yesterday where Clive was in charge of breakfast and he just went around the table pouring orange juice into their mouths from the carton to save using a glass.

[derxa]

but I do feel sort of sad for them that they have no opportunity to do anything other than the farm. Amanda in particular seems to be following her dream and expects the children to fulfill this dream by helping.
I'm not a great fan of Amanda's but this is a bit harsh. I'm sure a lot of the helping is contrived for the cameras. I grew up on a farm and loved working outside from a young age. The children will go into education and do other things just like farmers' children all over the country. The average age of farmers in the UK is around 59.

[sniffingthewax]

derxa have you read the books? The children aren't able to do any extra curriculars or hobbies that are outside the farm. They don't leave the farm at all in the summer holidays. I don't mean it in a harsh way, but I find it a bit sad that they have no choice in the matter. If one wanted to do ballet, gymnastics, join the scouts or football there is no opportunity.

I'm not sure that they are leading the lives of a typical farming family? Albeit I know nothing about farming, but I had farming friends at school who lived 15-30 minutes away from a major town so staying behind after school to do activities wasn't an issue. They very much led a typical child's life, they were not relied upon to help. I very much think Amanda is living her dream, and she says at least 3 times in every program that everyone has to pitch in for it to work. She also said in a recent article that another baby is not out of the question. Will Raven be taken out of university to stay at home with the baby whilst Amanda farms? I hate the opening intro of the program where Raven is described as 'the one who looks after the children'. The others at least are described by their personalities or liking xyz. Their house really is not equipped to house 9 children, they have 3 bedrooms and Raven was doing her A level revision on the sofa with all the children around, so I would assume that she doesn't have a quiet space to do that in peace.

I'm not saying they have a terrible life or anything, the children seem very happy but this is TV, a lot of it is obviously staged, but I do see Amanda as increasingly selfish.

[Limer]

I love seeing them on the farm, they do look like a lovely family. Amanda is obviously very media-savvy though, I wonder if she'd've had quite so many children if the fame hadn't come calling?

I don't like the gender stereotyping though, the boys enjoying fixing up old bikes while the girls are interested in ponies.

[sniffingthewax]

Amanda is certainly not the stereotypical farmer's wife, I did sort of roll my eyes though when she was attempting to climb into the tractor in her mini skirt. I do wonder if her fashion sense (said skirt, large hoop earrings) are for the benefit of the TV or if she always dresse s like that.
Has there been any sign of Clive 's eldest 2 children?

[Limer]

I rolled my eyes at the mini skirt and earrings too sniffing! And her hair, blowing round in the wind getting all over her face. That can't be practical, why not tie it back like the girls do?

[dottypotter]

I expect they live to far away from anywhere to do extra curricular activities its an hour just to school.

Lovely family pity there arent more about like that.

[MarziPam]

'rolled my eyes at the mini skirt and earrings too sniffing! And her hair, blowing round in the wind getting all over her face. That can't be practical, why not tie it back like the girls do?'

Yes she's always flinging her hair about in interviews too.

Wonder if once the kids have grown up we'll get a spate of books 'growing up with a fame hungry mother'.

[dottypotter]

Wonder if once the kids have grown up we'll get a spate of books 'growing up with a fame hungry mother'.

jealous arent you because over 2 million ppl arent tuning into watching you every week and buying your books. You would love it if you could.

Stop being bitchy. Say good luck to her.

[Apackoflips]

I admire Amanda and also think she is a little bit batty.
Nowt wrong wi' that though. Thank goodness for people who do things their own way .Life would be very dull if everyone conformed to an ideal.
The family as a whole seem to be very well rounded and it isnt damaging to the children to not take part in extra curricular activities all year round. Lots of children right in the centre of a cities do not have after school activities for many reasons and go home alone to watch tv. They survive .I am sure I saw that at certain times of the year the older children stay in the town during the week .If that is the case then they can do other things then if they wanted to.
I think Amanda is harking back to her modelling days and plays to the camera accordingly. But I doubt very much that she does this when there are no cameras and the older children are at school.

[peony2325]

Yes I think Amanda wrote in one of her books that at least one of the boys was played in the brass band in a local village/town and Clive would take him to practice each week.

The children have more opportunities for "extra curricular" activities than most could dream of! Horse riding, woodwork, tinkering with machinery, outdoor swimming...my parents spent a fortune for me just to have one hour's riding lesson a week.

[MiniCooperLover]

Those children are amazing IMO. The toddlers were so articulate and learning about sheep and horses. My 8 year old would be clueless and that's more of a shame really. They all seem to be doing well. As for Amanda just because she lives and works on a farm doesn't mean she HAS to dress like a farmer does it? She certainly seems to pull her weight, if she wants to wear a miniskirt in Yorkshire at any time of year then she's brave (feel cold even thinking of it) but good for her.

[sniffingthewax]

Those children are amazing IMO. The toddlers were so articulate and learning about sheep and horses. My 8 year old would be clueless and that's more of a shame really

Of course they know a lot about sheep and horses compared to your child because they live it 365 days a year. I actually thought the 3 year old's speech was quite delayed and she would have possibly benefited from nursery.

[derxa]

As for Amanda just because she lives and works on a farm doesn't mean she HAS to dress like a farmer does it I am a farmer.. well I run a small sheep farm. I often don't 'dress like a farmer'.

[sniffingthewax]

I'm not sure what stereotypical shepherdesses dress is, but her walking across the hill complaining about being freezing then the camera zooms in on her bare legs a bit attention seeking or inadequately dressed for the weather at the least. I was anxious watching her bending down in a closed pen with those massive hoops, if they caught on a sheep's horn or on the railings her earlobe would be ripped off. Obviously she's free to dress however she wishes though.

[MiniCooperLover]

She has gone a bit mad with the make up and hair this week but I guess she just gets a bit excited by the idea of TV and she's quite young compared to Clive

[HowlsMovingBungalow]

Not sure how her appearance has anything to do with her farming skills or ability to bring up well rounded children. But lets judge a woman on her makeup and hair.

[purpleme12]

I kind of agree i don't really think much either way of her appearance to be honest

[Sharonthetotallyinsane]

I love this show! I’m as London as they come, but it looks a wonderful way of life (hard obviously), and the children all seem capable and pleasant. I’d like to see how upstairs is arranged and where they all fit in-unless I’ve missed that in a previous episode.

[Wrigleys123]

I love it too! Would anyone recommend the book or is it not worth a read?

[HowlsMovingBungalow]

I'm reading her first autobiography - was 99p on google book store last week so snapped it up, it is worth a read.

[ChessieFL]

There’s 3 books now Wrigleys! I would recommend them, they’re nice easy reads and very interesting about their way of life.