This is How Erin Napier and Jenny Marrs Teach Their Kids to Deal with Fame
Growing up in the spotlight has its ups and downs.
As designers and hosts of their own HGTV shows, Erin Napier of Home Town and Jenny Marrs of Fixer to Fabulous, have a lot to juggle. Besides meetings with clients, renovating houses and filming, they're also moms raising kids who are growing up under the spotlight of cameras, construction crews and loving viewers. In a recent interview with HGTV, they got real about how they teach their kids to deal with inherited fame.
"It's a tricky thing to explain," said Erin. “We try to warn them, 'People you don't know will know your name, but it doesn't mean that you know them and you don’t have to talk to anybody.'"
The hardest part, both Erin and Jenny agreed, is when strangers approach during outings and want to talk or take pictures. “We don’t ever take pictures with people when we’re out with the kids,” said Erin. “I think it might make us seem rude but we’re really just trying to keep things as low key as possible.”
“We try to warn them that people you don't know will know your name, but it doesn't mean that you know them and you don’t have to talk to anybody."
Erin Napier
Despite the unique situation, there are special bonds that grow between the crew members and kids. "Our sound guy, Zack, looks like Maui from Moana — he even has the tattoos. He has two little girls who are [Helen's] age and he can sing and dance and do the songs from [the movie] so Helen loves him."
And at the end of the day, filming “is just work," Jenny explained. "My kids know that we go to our job. We’ve always built houses, and they’ve always been on job sites. That’s how they’ve grown up.”
“Everyone they know is on Home Town,” Erin agreed. "Our kids think that’s what all grown ups do, is that they have a TV show and that it’s not special or different,” Erin said.
Famous or not, to their little ones Erin and Jenny are simply "mom." "It feels like everything I say and do is going to be a part of who she is and there’s a big responsibility there," said Erin. "To be a good home."
Watch the Full Interview
Keep up with Erin and Jenny on Instagram at @erinnapier and @jennymarrs.