Erin Napier reflected on the passage of time in an emotional post celebrating her daughter Helen turning 8 years old. See what the HGTV star said about Helen growing up and how her interests have shifted dramatically.
Erin Napier Celebrates Daughter’s 8th Birthday
On January 4, Erin took to Instagram to share a few photos of Helen painting and playing, as well as a look at her sweet cookie cake for her big day.
“Our big girl turned 8 yesterday,” Erin wrote. “Which makes her older than Bluey, who is 7. Bluey, whom we started watching the month her baby sister was born. Who is now 4.5.”
The HGTV star continued, “Time is flying, and these days Helen mostly cares about Barbies and tumbling, ballet and journaling, surfing, painting and becoming a veterinarian someday.”
“My baby is such a young lady suddenly,” she added.
Fans flooded the comments section with birthday wishes for Helen. “I can’t get over how grown they are. I have been watching you guys since you were pregnant and Ben built the crib haha,” one fan wrote.
Other fans commented, “Can’t believe that girl is 8 already! Happy Birthday, Helen!” and “8!!!! Wow time is really flying! Happy Birthday Miss Helen!!”
“What? I blinked and she’s 8??” another commenter noted.
One fan wrote, “Y’all are raising self-confident, creative girls. I applaud your choice to keep them away from social media until you think they can handle it. Your girls will become independent and contributing members of their community. Girl power!”
Ben & Erin Napier Give Homeschooling Update
In 2025, Erin and her husband Ben made the decision to homeschool Helen and her younger sister, Mae.
In a December 2025 interview with People, the couple reflected on their year. “2025 is when we did the doing,” Erin shared. “That was the ‘we can do hard things’ year.”
Part of the hard things is homeschooling. “And we’re doing it,” Ben explained. “People are like, ‘Oh, did you hire a tutor?’ And we’re like, ‘No, we’re the tutors.'”
When asked about their non-negotiables as a family to help slow time down, Erin said, “Homeschooling. It’s not a non-negotiable, it’s what we’re trying this year.”
She continued, “They’ve never had devices, they’ve never held phones or tablets or iPads. We’re trying to live like it’s our childhood again.”
The “Home Town” star noted, “We let them watch things on TV, all of us together as a family. We have a movie night like every night, and it’s not like we don’t have TV time. We’re watching like Berenstain Bears, we watched ‘Prancer’ this week. So, living slower.”
I have watch you sin e you been on HGTV. I’ve seen all the thi gs you have gone through. I love you all the more with your girls. They are growing fast. Can’t believe its been 8 yrs and 4.5 yrs.. Happy your home schooling. Please stay in touch on some TV show cause you may not be on HGTV this year. VERY SAD!! Love you guys!! 😍