b' Your children are exceptional. Are they still in school?What were some of the challenges you faced raising them here, LS:Jessicamostly on your own?24 LS:Yes, they are my pride and joy. My daughter, Jessica, now 24, gradu-2023Austinated from USC in 2023 and is entering her last year at Pepperdine Law 23 School to earn her Juris Doctorate degree. My son, Austin, now 23, grad-2024 uated from UCLA in 2024 and is now finishing his Masters in Global 13 Supply Chain Management at USC. Raising two kids just 13 months apart wasnt easy, especially with year- round volleyball. I spent years driving through five cities a day for prac- tices and tournaments, managing everything myself. It was chaotic attimes, but also rewarding. I was there every step of the way, making surethey had the opportunities to succeed and grow into who they are today. One of the biggest challenges was that they were enrolled in private,predominantly white schools, where they were often the only Asian kids in their classes. As a result, I was frequently the only Asian parent atschool events. This experience came with its own set of pressures and cul- tural isolation. I constantly stressed to them the importance of embracingtheir ethnicity and staying confident in who they were. I wanted them tounderstand that their identity was something to be proud of, not some-thing to downplay. That message was at the core of how I raised them.LS:Many Chinese women in the U.S. share a similar experience raising children alone in a foreign country. How did you maintainemotional balance during that time? LS:I made a conscious decision to see motherhood not as a burden, butas an investment. The sacrifices I made were steppingstones to my chil- drens success and by extension, my own. I also focused on my health, maintaining a routine of exercise and nutritious meals. I knew I had to LS: be physically and emotionally strong to be the pillar they needed. Takingcare of myself allowed me to take care of them. In a mother-centered environment, how did you guide yourchildren toward independence and healthy development? LS:I learned early on that forcing my kids into a model path wasnteffective. We tried piano, violin, and Chinese school, but they dreadedit. So, I let go and gave them space to explore what they loved, whichwas mainly sports and social activities. I didnt micromanage homework or shield them from failure. Instead, I let them make mistakes, turn in assignments late, and learn consequences first-hand. That freedom built resilience and accountability. I always showed pride in their efforts, not just their achievements. Even when they were wrong, I backed them publicly. That unwavering support helped them grow into confident, independent adults.56 BALLIET + WANG LUXURY LIVING'