Erin Napier Children: Meet Helen and Mae, the Two Daughters She Shares With Husband Ben Napier
Erin Napier and her husband, Ben Napier, have two daughters, Helen and Mae. The couple welcomed their first child in 2018, nearly a decade after their wedding, and their second daughter arrived three years later.
Helen is eight years old, while Mae is five as of November 2026. Both girls are growing up in Laurel, Mississippi, where their parents film HGTV’s Home Town and operate several businesses.
Although Erin and Ben have occasionally shared family photographs, they generally avoid showing their daughters’ faces online. The couple believes their children should have the opportunity to develop their own identities without constant public attention.
Their approach to parenting emphasizes family traditions, outdoor activities, creativity and spending time together.
Meet Erin Napier’s Eldest Daughter Helen Napier
Helen Napier was born on January 3, 2018. Her arrival was particularly meaningful because Erin had previously experienced health complications that made her uncertain whether she could become pregnant.
The HGTV star underwent surgery for a perforated appendix when she was younger, leaving scar tissue that doctors believed might affect her fertility.
Despite those concerns, Erin became pregnant with Helen and welcomed her daughter in early 2018.
Helen was named after Erin’s grandmother, continuing a family tradition of honoring important relatives through children’s names.
As she has grown older, Helen has developed interests in drawing, reading and design.
Erin previously shared that her daughter designed a cottage she hoped to build on the family’s farm, demonstrating an early interest in the creative work associated with her parents.
In August 2026, Erin celebrated Helen’s sixth consecutive first day of ballet lessons. She shared photographs showing how her daughter had grown while continuing to use the same embroidered ballet bag.
Helen has also shown an interest in literature, poetry and athletics.
Who Is Erin Napier’s Youngest Daughter Mae Napier?
Mae Napier was born on May 28, 2021, making her five years old.
Her name carries special family significance because she was named after Erin’s beloved aunt Marilyn, affectionately known as Aunt Mae Mae.
Erin recently revealed that her aunt had passed away, sharing an emotional tribute that explained the important role Marilyn played during her childhood.
Marilyn helped care for Erin while her mother worked and encouraged her artistic abilities through drawing, scrapbooks and outdoor activities.
Erin explained that her aunt’s influence was so meaningful that she knew she wanted to name her second daughter after her.
The tribute included a photograph of Marilyn embracing Mae, highlighting the connection between the two generations.
Mae has also developed an interest in creative activities.
Erin has shared that her younger daughter enjoys drawing, music lessons and imaginative play.
In July 2026, the family celebrated another milestone when Mae prepared to begin kindergarten.
Why Are Erin and Ben Napier Homeschooling Their Daughters?
Erin and Ben Napier began homeschooling Helen and Mae in 2025.
The couple explained that they wanted a slower family routine and greater flexibility while balancing television production with parenting.
Their homeschooling approach combines academic lessons with practical activities and creative experiences.
Ben teaches subjects including history, mathematics and Bible studies, while Erin focuses on reading, language arts, science, art and etiquette.
The girls also participate in activities outside the home, including music lessons, sports and horseback riding.
Erin has explained that their school days often begin with household responsibilities such as washing dishes, feeding pets and watering the garden.
Although the couple initially considered homeschooling an unusual choice, their experiences with other families encouraged them to explore the approach.
In May 2026, Erin celebrated the completion of their first homeschooling year.
She shared that Helen had finished second grade while Mae had completed her pre-kindergarten studies.
The family has not ruled out traditional schooling in the future, particularly when the girls reach high school.
Why Does Erin Napier Keep Her Children’s Faces Private?
Erin and Ben Napier have made a deliberate decision to protect their daughters’ privacy.
Despite their television careers, they generally avoid displaying Helen and Mae’s faces on social media or featuring them prominently on Home Town.
Erin has explained that she wants her children to understand the potential consequences of public attention before deciding whether to participate in social media.
The couple intends to keep the girls away from personal social media accounts until they are older.
They have also limited their daughters’ access to smartphones and tablets.
Instead, Erin and Ben encourage outdoor play, reading, drawing and spending time with friends.
The family enjoys watching movies together, but the parents have emphasized that entertainment devices should not dominate childhood.
Their parenting decisions reflect a preference for maintaining a relatively ordinary family life despite their professional recognition.
Erin and Ben Napier’s Family Traditions
Erin and Ben Napier have established several family traditions that emphasize meaningful experiences rather than elaborate celebrations.
One of their most recognizable parenting rules involves birthday parties.
The couple has explained that they prefer small family gatherings over expensive celebrations involving large numbers of guests.
Until their daughters are old enough to organize their own parties, birthdays generally involve dinner with grandparents and homemade cakes.
Ben has also created a wooden cake stand using materials left over from Helen’s baby crib.
The handmade item has become part of their family celebrations.
Their approach reflects the couple’s broader interest in preserving memories through meaningful objects and traditions.
Erin frequently shares stories about family heirlooms, childhood experiences and the relatives who influenced her life.
These values also appear in her professional work as a designer and author.
How Erin Napier Balances Motherhood and Her HGTV Career
Erin Napier continues working alongside Ben on Home Town, which follows their renovation projects in Laurel, Mississippi.
The couple also operates businesses connected to home goods, woodworking and historic preservation.
Their professional responsibilities involve demanding filming schedules, but they have worked to organize family life around their daughters.
Homeschooling has allowed Erin and Ben to spend additional time with Helen and Mae while continuing their television careers.
During breaks from filming, the family enjoys reading, traveling and outdoor activities.
Erin has occasionally shared photographs of the girls working on school assignments or spending time with their father.
In October 2026, she also reflected on Ben’s importance to their family, describing the thoughtful ways he cares for their daughters.
Her comments highlighted their shared responsibilities as parents and the close relationships they have developed with their children.
Erin Napier’s daughters, Helen and Mae, remain central to her life away from television. From honoring relatives through their names to homeschooling and maintaining simple family traditions, Erin and Ben have created a childhood centered on creativity and personal connections. Although their daughters occasionally appear in family updates, the couple continues prioritizing their privacy as they grow older.
