Erin, Ben Napier Say Family is Their ‘First Priority’: ‘We Have to be Mommy and Daddy’

Published: June 6, 2024

Erin, Ben Napier Say Family is Their ‘First Priority’: ‘We Have to be Mommy and Daddy’

By Movieguide® Contributor

Ben and Erin Napier credit “an army of support” for helping them juggle work and family.

“Season 1 [of HOME TOWN TAKEOVER] nearly killed us, it was the hardest thing we had ever done,” Erin told PEOPLE. “I was pregnant, and we had a toddler, and it was COVID and we didn’t know anybody. But now, our girls are 6 and 3 and we have a little more freedom to bring them — they’ve been here with us every step of it.”

Even though things are easier now that their daughters — Helen, 6, and Mae, 3 — are older, the Napiers say that they still need plenty of help balancing their renovation work, their HGTV shows and parenting.

“There’s no way you do this without an army of support at home and here,” Erin said, pointing to both her and Ben’s mothers.

“We bring one of our moms every time we come,” Ben shared, with Erin adding, “And our moms don’t hate it either!”

Despite their work commitments, for the Napiers, their children always come first. The couple mentioned that there was a time when they had to cancel an entire week of filming after one of their daughters got sick.

“I hated it, and I know it was an expensive problem, but we had to be Mommy and Daddy,” Ben said.

Erin added, “It’s not their fault that our job is so demanding and strange.”

“We have to have our priorities, and our first priority is what will be when there is no TV, and what was there before there was TV, and that’s me and Ben and the girls. So, that’s the priority,” she explained.

The Napiers are currently gearing up for the premiere of Season 3 of HOME TOWN TAKEOVER, which takes the couple to Sebring, Florida.

“It’s a new location and you’ve probably never heard of it because it’s not tourist Florida, which is our favorite Florida,” Ben explained.

Speaking about their efforts to rejuvenate the small town, Erin said, “You have to help the people who are here for their community. That’s the only way small town America survives.”

Movieguide® previously reported on Season 3 of HOME TOWN TAKEOVER:

Ben and Erin Napier’s HOME TOWN TAKEOVER has come to Sebring, Florida, for Season 3, and a lot has happened since filming began.

[Ben and Erin], with the help of a slew of all-star experts, will tackle several renovation projects across homes, local businesses and public spaces in the historic lakeside town,” a description for this season reads. “The goal of the projects will be to amplify the town’s charm, build community pride and make Sebring a must-visit destination.”

Production began at the end of February, and the fruits of their labor have begun to show around town as renovations on old businesses and buildings are coming to a close, leaving the town covered in a new coat of paint. Many of these buildings are receiving more major updates, such as new windows, roofs and interior layouts.

Lucky members of the community will also have their homes renovated as Ben and Erin work to fully revitalize the community.