Empowering Families Series #4: One Mother at a Time Interview with Tuyet Nguyen
Guest Name Tuyet Nguyen, Oregon State Benefits Specialist & RealEstate BrokerEmail: [email protected]: 503-318-6821Summary Timika S. Chambers speaks with Tuyet Nguyen, an Oregonbenefits specialist and part-time real estate agent, about how her Vietnamese American childhood shaped the way she parents her teenage daughter. Nguyen shares how she is building a more open, supportive relationship than the oneshe experienced, and why listening, presence, compassion, and helping children use their voices matter.Keywords #parenting, #breakingcycles, #VietnameseAmerican, #family,#parent-child communication, #safespaceforteenagers, #work-life balance,#Oregonrealestate, #familysupport #Tillamook #Oregoncoast #coastallivingKey Topics· Tuyet Nguyen immigrated to the United Statesfrom Vietnam at about age two and grew up with six siblings.· Her parents ran a restaurant and worked longdays, leaving Nguyen to spend much of her childhood with her siblings and often keep worries to herself.· Nguyen says she and her 17-year-old daughtertalk openly, sharing a closeness she did not have with her parents as a child.· She encourages her daughter’s interests,including arts, dance, sports, and outdoor adventures such as camping and crabbing.· A solo mother-daughter camping trip became amoment of connection: her daughter set up the tent and made the fire while Nguyen worked through her nerves.· Nguyen emphasizes compassion, humility, respectfor elders, and speaking up to help someone being bullied when it is safe to do so.· She recommends making time to listen andnoticing changes in a child's mood or behavior, creating a safe space for them to share what is happening.· Nguyen balances protecting her daughter withgradually allowing more independence and helping her build coping skills.· Outside parenting, Nguyen works as an Oregonbenefits specialist and a part-time real estate agent; she bought her first home at 21 and hopes to open a Vietnamese coffee shop or deli.Takeaways · I naturally started doing it justbecause I didn't have it when I was younger.· You need to have compassion and respect.· When you see something wrong, you need to saysomething, if you're in a safe space to do it.· I would encourage them to listen to your child.You know, have that time.· You really have to listen to them if they'retelling you something.· You always have to take time for yourself.· You have to work to take care of yourresponsibilities, but you also have to find time for yourself mentally.· You're creating that safe space for them to beable to talk to you about things if something's bothering them.Sound Bites· "I think it's important to havegoals."· "You need to have compassion andrespect."Chapters · 00:00 Introducing the season's focus on familystories and parenting· 02:44 Tuyet's work helping Oregon families andhomebuyers· 03:49 Outdoor time, family traditions, and asolo camping weekend· 07:42 How childhood shaped a more openmother-daughter bond· 13:09 Honoring her parents' sacrifices whilechoosing a different path· 17:12 Work-life balance, self-care, and beingemotionally present· 20:10 A future dream of opening a Vietnamesecoffee shop· 21:40 Teaching compassion and speaking up forothers· 26:01 Listening closely to teenagers andcreating a safe space· 29:46 Balancing protection with independence andcoping skills· 32:06 Real estate, buying a first home at 21,and serving clients· 35:21 Closing reflections on breaking cycles andbuilding loveThank you for listening, following, and sharing.