Amanda Owen has admitted that it is a 'scary thought' as her youngest daughter Nancy turned nine, marking a milestone for the family featured on Channel 4's Our Farm Next Door.
Family Gathers for Nancy's Birthday
In a repeat episode airing on Friday, June 26, the Owen family, including Reuben Owen and his girlfriend Jess from Channel 5's Life in the Dales, gathered to celebrate Nancy's birthday. The occasion brought everyone together, as eldest daughter Raven noted: 'It is nice to have everyone gathered together, otherwise sometimes it feels like it’s only Christmas that you see everybody in the same room.'
Raven added: 'And it’s nice to see her just so excited about her birthday. I miss her when I don’t see her all the time, I miss all of them, it’s just nice to make a bit of a fuss.'
Amanda's Scary Thought
As Nancy blew out the candles on her cake, Reuben joked that he thought she was four or five years old. Amanda then turned to them and said: 'Can you imagine, she’s actually the little one.' Raven replied: 'In one year from now, mum’s going to have no one under single digits children-wise.'
'That’s a bit of a scary thought,' Amanda admitted. She later told the camera: 'The children are growing up, and I suppose, as they’re growing up, they’re more independent, and more outgoing, for sure.'
Nancy's Sweet Words
Nancy also shared her feelings, saying: 'You want to stay with your family forever but you want to turn more independent.' She added: 'It’s nice being one step older.' Reflecting on the celebration, she said: 'When you’re older you can remember that day when everyone was here, no one was busy, they made time to be there for you.'
She also revealed a mix-up: 'I think I forgot to tell people my birthday is tomorrow, not today! Early gifts, early cake, at least that’s good!'
Amanda on Raising Children on the Farm
Amanda, who rose to fame as The Yorkshire Shepherdess on Our Yorkshire Farm from 2018, has previously spoken about raising her nine children on the farm and their unique education. Last summer, she shared on Instagram: 'There’s schooling and there’s schooling. I know that they’ll go into class with a faint whiff of horse and scurf on their socks but they’ll also have big smiles and a story to tell.'
Fans praised her approach, with one commenting: 'Your kids are having a wonderful childhood.' Another added: 'What they learn from the farm far surpasses anything learnt from a classroom, Fantastic family you have.'
Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids is available to watch on Channel 4.
