Erin Napier Champions Old-School Parenting: “Screens Out, Childhoods In”
In a refreshing turn of the tide, Erin Napier, the renowned HGTV personality and mother of two, is leading a movement to reclaim childhoods across the nation. At 38, Erin is at the forefront of advocating for screen-limited and social media-free childhoods until high school graduation. Through her organization, Osprey (Old School Parents Raising Engaged Youth), Erin seeks to unite families who share these traditional values and foster a supportive community for parents and children alike.
Reflecting on her generation’s unique perspective during her conversation with PEOPLE, Erin highlighted the challenges posed by the digital age. Unlike previous generations, millennials like herself witnessed the rise of social media during their formative years. Now, as parents, they are keenly aware of its potential pitfalls and are determined to shield their children from its negative influences.
Celebrities such as Matthew McConaughey and Drew Barrymore have joined the conversation, sharing their own strategies for managing social media within their families. As professionals delve deeper into the impacts of digital technology on youth, parents are increasingly conscious of the need to limit screen time and prioritize real-world experiences.
In her own family life, Erin leads by example, minimizing screen time and prioritizing outdoor activities. Through organizations like Osprey, she hopes to create a supportive community where families can embrace traditional values and thrive in the digital age.
Erin emphasizes that their approach is not about restriction but rather about enriching childhood experiences. Drawing from her own family life, she recounts how her daughter’s involvement in ballet has boosted her confidence and fostered valuable skills.
“Our oldest is only 6 years old, but she’s been in ballet school for three years. She loves it and when she’s hanging out with her older cousins — who are 10, 11 years old — she gets a little shy. She feels like the little kid,” she stated.
By prioritizing real-world engagement, Erin believes children can develop self-assurance and resilience, qualities often undermined by excessive screen time.
“I feel like when our kids have more opportunity to be engaged in the real world and learning skills and finding their talents, that’s where self-assurance comes from. And the opposite of finding self-assurance is in social media. Everything that tears down our self-confidence and self-assurance lives there,” she explained.
This weekend, Erin and her husband, TV personality Ben, are spearheading the inaugural Osprey Festival in Laurel, Missouri. The event offers a range of workshops and activities aimed at cultivating traditional skills and fostering meaningful connections. From woodworking to gardening, parents and children alike can discover new passions and talents in a screen-free environment.
