Mom to the Rescue
Parenting adult children
My son texted me this morning asking for a Jambalaya recipe. Since this isn’t something I have a family recipe for, he wasn’t asking for a quick recipe off the top of my head. No, despite unfettered access to the internet, his first instinct was to ask me and my cookbook collection for help.
Parenting adults should be, at least in my opinion, a largely hands-off approach. Yet still available as a listening ear, able to help out on small things like “how do I cook with only a microwave?” Or “where’s the best place to buy a warm blanket like the one you have?” And today, it was recipes.
I grabbed a few books (I may have another, but I really need to sort out the collection soon) and sent him pictures of recipes. He should be able to convert them to reasonable feeds-young-sailor sizes. Or not, and freeze leftovers as he gleefully informed me this week he is getting a bigger fridge in his barracks room.
My husband, curious why I was rummaging through cookbooks, asked why the kid hadn’t gone to the base library. I’m presuming lack of time, but it does my heart good to have him ask something I can so easily help with. I don’t mind this at all. I didn’t really have a picture of what adult children would look like - I knew it wouldn’t be any kind of stereotype, not my family - and I am delighted to discover there are still ways I can be useful.
I did tell him if he wants a jambalaya or other Cajun recipe he really ought to text @oldNFO or Bayou Renaissance Man next time! I should also make sure he knows there is a library on base. I might not be so easy to reach next time.
Jambalaya is great. After he makes it once or twice, he'll have it by heart; then he can start riffing, using whatever is available. (Someone whose blog I read calls this approach "pig tail and frog leg" jambalaya/spaghetti sauce/etc.)
Buy a box of Zatatrain's at your local grocery store and add the meat of your choice.
All the Cajun's I know think it's good stuff.