I lost my mother’s recipe years back and had been searching for a good replacement without any luck

Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently.
Continue to cook the pudding until the tapioca pearls are translucent and the mixture has thickened to a pudding-like consistency.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract, if using.
4. Serve and Garnish
Transfer the tapioca pudding to individual serving bowls or a large serving dish.
Allow the pudding to cool slightly before serving, or chill it in the refrigerator for a few hours for a cold dessert.
Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or nutmeg, if desired.