It was brought home to me forcibly yesterday just how slowly the pace of life moves up here in the North West. My children spent the day with their 'city cousins' who live in a market town in the Midlands. The eldest at 11 is the same age as the twins, and started secondary school this year but whilst his school has over 700 pupils, our school, sitting at the foot of the mountains in the Lake District has only 200!
At eight years old their middle cousin had recently had her ears pierced. My daughter was fascinated that someone so young would want to wear earrings! Fashion and jewellery are a world away from the outdoor life of fell running, canoeing on Coniston lake and dog walking in which my daughter is involved.
My daughter's Christmas present from her cousins was a beautiful box of cosmetics which (she confided in me later )she will place somewhere safely for the next few years until she feels ready to use it! Her eight year old cousin is already hankering after mascara!
As I looked at my daughter's rosy complexion I reflected how pretty she looks with her natural skin tones . She is totally unconcerned about what people think of her,wears exactly what she feels comfortable in and is completely self confident. I was so glad we had chosen to live in the country, among like minded people who have in the main, forsaken income for time, are unconcerned about material possessions and rarely conform to the expected standards of today's society.
Our children are free to explore their surroundings without the need of continual parental supervision as they know the people in our village and would ask for help if necessary. By contrast a stranger had recently been spotted at the school gates of my nephews school and pupils were being warned to be vigilent. The pressure to grow up is so great and it is difficult to swim against the tide even if you want to.
Like my daughter's make up box my children have the space and enviroment to grow at their own pace without any expectations and pressure from peers and to take out 'the make up box' when they feel ready. The have all the time in the world!
