Rule #18: Learn to Make Pancakes
I know what you’re thinking: Dad’s lost it, putting learning to make pancakes in the top 20 rules. But hear me out.
There are only a few foods that are truly social, and pancakes are one of them. They’re simple to make, yet somehow special because they don’t just come out of a box.
I have never offered to make pancakes with someone and received a negative reaction. It’s like asking kids, “Who wants to go to Disney World?” or a teenager, “Who wants to drive the car?” Even if they decline, the offer alone makes people happy.
Part of the magic is that pancakes are comfort food. Warm, sweet with syrup, and filling, they tell the eater that the world can be a safe and happy place. And the homemade feel of pancakes sends a non-verbal message: “I care enough to make something special for you.”
I remember being nine years old at my Aunt Skeets’ house in Virginia, watching my cousin Cathy help my aunt make pancakes. She let me pour my own pancakes—any size I wanted, from silver dollar to full plate. That memory is more than 40 years old, yet it remains a fresh, happy memory in my heart.
When you spend the first night with your true love in your apartment, there’s no better way to show you care than having a warm skillet, a bowl of pancake batter, and a bottle of syrup ready. It’s hard for anyone to feel unloved after that, even without saying it out loud. And your reputation grows—she goes back to her friends and says, “And then he made me pancakes.” (See Rule #22: “All Men Are Pigs.”)
As a husband, I’ve found that pancakes can bridge any distance caused by busy schedules, kids’ activities, work demands, or life’s general chaos. They’ve saved my butt on more than a few mornings. Whenever family stress builds, I use the magic words: “Breakfast for dinner.” Participation is encouraged—measuring, stirring, pouring, or flipping—so even the most disconnected teenager can take a turn as a short-order cook.
I prefer Bisquick mix over other brands, not only because it tastes better but because it requires adding melted butter and eggs. These simple steps make the pancakes feel homemade, sending the subtle message that the recipients are worth the extra effort. The process slows down life, teaching patience as you wait for the bubbles and the faint brown edge before flipping.
This rule may seem small, yet it’s ranked high (#18) for a reason. Few things are as powerful for starting a conversation, building a bridge, or simply saying “I remember you, I love you” than a humble pancake.
In life, the greatest truths aren’t hidden—they’re right in front of us, like a short stack of pancakes covered with butter and syrup. We just need to notice them. Yum.
Bisquick Pancakes Recipe:
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2 cups Original Bisquick® mix
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1 cup milk
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2 eggs
Heat griddle or skillet over medium-high heat (or electric griddle to 375°F); grease with cooking spray, vegetable oil, or shortening. (Surface is ready when a few drops of water sprinkled on it dance and disappear.)
Stir all ingredients until blended. Pour slightly less than 1/4 cupfuls onto hot griddle. Cook until edges are dry, then turn; cook until golden. (For thinner pancakes, use 1 1/2 cups milk—but in a Hill household, thin pancakes are never preferred.)
Takeaway: Making pancakes is more than cooking—it’s a simple, powerful way to connect, show love, and create lasting memories.
Love, Dad