WESTMINSTER, Calif. — Relationships are everything to Quynh Tram Vu and for the last few weeks, it seems like all of this mom’s relationships are being tested. 

“Tristan… Co Vu waiting. Can you please come?” says Vu as she tries to get her son’s attention. 

Vu is a working mom who employs a team of stylists at her lash extension salon in Santa Monica called Lash Pilot, formerly known as 95 Lash. The Safer at Home Emergency Order forced Vu and other non-essential businesses to close. But the time off is far from a vacation.

MORE EDUCATION COVERAGE:

“I try to walk him through, but I just feel like I’m not as effective as teacher. I need real help from a real teacher,” said Vu.

Her five-year-old son, Tristan, is enrolled in a dual language immersion program in Murdy Elementary School in the Garden Grove Unified School District. The suspension of in-person classes in the district has been extended through Friday, May 8 with students returning on Monday, May 11. 

Vu says her son’s teacher helped her navigate the different apps and systems needed to complete assignments, but she’s still worried about her son’s education. 

“He doesn’t take me as seriously as he does with his teacher, Vu said. "When I give him instructions, he would still consider to the teacher as the absolute power and absolutely correct one."

The working mom is also taking care of her three-year-old son Clarence who has been attached to her since she started working from home. Any minute that she can sneak away, she’s doing what she can to keep the relationship with her loyal clients alive through updates and emails. 

“Assuming I can go back to work, I don’t think I can generate the same kind of income that I normally do. I think if I’m optimistic, I project that my income will be 20 percent of what I’m currently making,” said Vu.

She says it was hard for her to temporarily close her business, but the hardest part about it was having to tell her employees who depend on their jobs to stay home. Vu was in the middle of rebranding her salon when the emergency order was made.

Despite so many uncertainties, this working mom says it’s important for her to remember what is certain. Vu has her health and her most treasured relationship with her family. 

For updates on the Garden Grove Unified School District, please visit: ggusd.us/covidresources

For more information about Lash Pilot, please visit: lashpilot.com/about/