Future Kids
Sara Kays Lyrics

When I was a kid, I made a book
As a child, I created a book that detailed how I envisioned my future.

Planning out how my future would look
I carefully crafted a plan for what I wanted my future to entail.

I drew in pictures of houses with views
I included illustrations of my future dream homes, complete with picturesque views.

Two swings in the backyard, one pink and one blue
I imagined a backyard with two swings, one painted pink and the other painted blue.

Now that I'm older I wish I could see
Now that I'm older, I desire a world where my childhood dreams still made sense.

A world where that still made sense to me
A world where my childhood dreams were still reasonable as an adult.

'Cause if my future kids end up like me
I'm concerned that if my future children end up like me, they'll face the same challenges that I have.

They won't get to sleep earlier than three
My kids will likely struggle with poor sleep habits, just like I do.

They'll be thinking 'bout how they can be
My kids will be preoccupied with how they can become better versions of themselves.

Better than they are, taking it too far
They may take self-improvement too far, to the point where it becomes unhealthy and unattainable.

Trying to change the things I love the most about them
They may attempt to change the very aspects of themselves that I adore.

And I don't think I could ever stand to see that happen, no
I couldn't bear to witness my children experience the same self-doubt and insecurities that I do.

I was too young when I picked out their names
I chose the names of my future children at a young age and without considering the full ramifications of that decision.

And wrote them at the top of every page
I included their chosen names at the top of every page in my book, solidifying their perceived importance.

'Cause I didn't know I would grow up to hate
I had no way of knowing that I would eventually struggle with insecurity and self-hatred later in life.

The way that I look, and my size and my shape
I detest my physical appearance, including my size and shape.

I wish I could make sure that they never see
I wish that my children could be spared from experiencing the same level of negative self-image that I do.

Themselves in the same way that I see me
I hope that my children don't view themselves in the same judgmental manner that I view myself.

I'll keep the book in a safe place
I'll preserve the book I created as a child, keeping it in a protected location.

'Cause I'm not quite ready to throw it away
I'm not yet prepared to part with my childhood dreams and aspirations.