Jim Gaffigan: Children are not pancakes

January 11, 2026 / 10:02 AM EST / CBS News

Jim Gaffigan: Children are not pancakes

TL;DR

  • The pancake analogy suggests parenting improves with each subsequent child, like making better pancakes.
  • The author argues this analogy is an oversimplification and doesn't reflect the complex realities of raising children.
  • Each child presents unique challenges, not a simple improvement curve.
  • The analogy ignores birth order theories, such as middle child syndrome.
  • The author uses personal experience with five children to illustrate the overwhelming nature of parenting, comparing it to eating a large stack of pancakes.
  • The author concludes by rejecting pancakes due to the negative associations with parenting experiences.