I seldom cook a meal without reaching out to my mom for guidance—whether to confirm I have the right ingredients, the appropriate pan, or to check that my oven is set to the right temperature. My mom is an exceptionally skilled cook, known particularly for her chicken parmigiana. Her homemade pizza is a staple on Christmas Eve; I often think she could run a successful pizzeria with her talent. What stands out most is her intuitive approach to cooking, which emphasizes instinct over strict adherence to recipes. Although she has several well-thumbed cookbooks, our phone conversations often revolve around her personal insights rather than a step-by-step guide.
This hands-on approach also applies to her parenting style toward me and my two siblings. As I navigate raising my own three children, I realize that sometimes you must stray from conventional advice and trust your instincts. Much of what I know about parenting comes from my mother’s example.
On days when I crave some personal time and feel a bit selfish around my kids, I can’t help but reflect on my mom’s selflessness during our upbringing. I’m certain she had her fair share of challenging days. However, those moments seemed rare. She was always present, shuttling us between activities, tackling endless laundry, and providing exactly what we needed—even when we were moody teens and she had to add “mind reader” to her impressive skill set.
I find that I experience the usual parent-child dynamics with my kids, occasionally thinking, “I probably deserve this based on how I behaved as a child.” More frequently, though, I reflect on how I could have handled situations better—like my mom would have. This constant evaluation reinforces my admiration for her and the natural ease with which she takes on the role of grandma. She sets a high bar, not just in culinary skills.
If left alone with some eggs, breadcrumbs, cheese, sauce, and chicken, I could probably manage to whip up a chicken parmigiana. Yet, I am incredibly grateful for my mom’s guidance in helping me achieve a dish that even slightly resembles hers.
This article was originally published on May 9, 2015.
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Summary:
This article reflects on the lessons learned from a mother’s intuitive cooking and parenting style. It emphasizes the value of trusting one’s instincts in both the kitchen and in raising children, highlighting the author’s gratitude for their mother’s influence.
Keyphrase: Lessons from My Mother on Cooking and Parenting
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