To not want to make pancakes straight away?

[PancakesAteTheChildren]

friday nights I generally work until 12 ish, then can't go to sleep straight away so generally sleep around 1am. Saturday is my only lie in day (by lie in I mean 8ish, not late!) ATM while DH isn't playing golf as I also work Saturday night until 12ish then am back in for 8am.

The problem is, once I am up, and before I have even had coffee, the children are nagging me to make pancakes.

But I don't want to straight away! It is the only wind downtime I have so want to drink coffee wake up for a bit rather than heading straight into the kitchen (which is generally a mess form the night before as I am at work!) have to clean all that up then cook. (For context, in term time I am up before everyone during the week, despite the late nights and do cook them pancakes or porridge or bacon/eggs. Dh also usually plays golf so can't sleep in Saturday's. )

I offered to do themfor lunch instead but Dd is now throwing a tantrum! Sigh.

Oh sorry OP just saw your comment about not being able to freeze or pre-cook them!

what about setting a timer for them? So when they ask for the pancakes set the timer for however long you want them to wait for and tell them you'll make them when the timer goes off. This works for my youngest usually. If I say "in a minute" he starts counting to 60.

Do they like hot chocolate?

If so make that along side your coffee. It's what I do at the weekend to get five minutes to peace to MN and wake up. :o

Lots of milk so it's not scalding.

A tub or big jar with preprepared dry ingredients is a great idea and might help, then in the morning just measure out a portion. The first time you make it find a jug or bowl so you know how much is a portion then just add milk, butter and eggs and mix. It would save the weighing and faffing around with pancakes. I've not done think myself before but I shall be starting today. My dc love pancakes but I'm lucky they don't mind if I make a big batch freeze and reheat.

I've not read your updates, but in your situation o would ask do to do kitchen, and tell kids that of they don't hassle me, they will get pancakes at ( whatever time sits you). Put on the kitchen times do they can see how long they have left to wait.