Television personality Amanda Owen has candidly discussed the intricate challenges of raising her large family, admitting that one of her sons feels he missed out on a key aspect of his upbringing.
A Decision That Left Reuben Feeling 'Cheated'
The star of Channel 5's hit series Our Yorkshire Farm revealed that her second eldest child, Reuben, harbours a sense of having been short-changed by one of her early parenting choices. Speaking on the Made by Mammas podcast, the mother-of-nine explained that Reuben "would have loved to be homeschooled," much like his younger sibling, Sidney.
Amanda, often dubbed the Yorkshire Shepherdess, clarified that her decision was shaped by the social climate of the time. "At that point, it was kind of beyond the pale," she stated. "Back then, you really were pushing the boundaries — if you did homeschooling, there was a little bit of a general consensus that you were a bit 'out there.'" She contrasted this with the present day, noting that homeschooling has become far more mainstream.
Tailoring Education to Nine Unique Personalities
Now 50, Amanda reflected on how her confidence as a parent grew with each child. She joked that her eldest daughter, Raven, often tells her, "Oh, you just practiced on me. You were just learning what you were doing." By the time her ninth child arrived, she felt in a "stronger place" to make different choices.
Her approach is deeply individualistic. "With nine children, they all have such different characters," she emphasised. "It's not a matter of saying, 'You're all going to be homeschooled,' because I don't believe that would set them all up with the best start in life. Instead, it's about looking at each child individually. They're not like peas in a pod."
The reason for homeschooling was never about following a trend, she insisted, but about what was genuinely best for each child's unique needs and personality.
Life on the Farm After Separation
Amanda also shed light on managing family life following her separation from husband Clive Owen in 2022, after 22 years of marriage. The couple, who became national favourites through their show, have found an unconventional but workable new dynamic.
In an interview with The Sun's Fabulous magazine, Amanda explained: "Clive and I are separated, but not divorced. He's now my next-door neighbour and co-parenting is working." She believes the new arrangement has reduced friction, creating a sense of peace that has positively affected their children: Raven, Reuben, Miles, Edith, Violet, Sidney, Annas, Clemmie, and Nancy.
The family continues to live and work on their sprawling North Yorkshire farm, with Amanda balancing the demands of a working farm, a media career, and the needs of her nine children.
