learning to cook

Hey guys, I'm 16 & I want to learn how to cook. Long story short, my grandmother died before I was born. My uncles used to hit my mom so that she'd learn to cook. I always told my mom I wanted to learn & she'd just tell me to watch. I'd watch, I'd grab a journal & take notes but I never did actual hands on of what I'd learn because my mom doesn't really guide me through what I have to do & she'd most likely shout at me of what I'm doing wrong. My step dad told her that as a mother she should teach me but she brings up her life & says "I learned by myself"