It’s Not Easy Being a Kid
Gary Rasberry

It’s not easy being a kid
Everybody telling you not to do what they did
Everybody telling you not to do what they did
It’s not easy being a kid

My dad said when he was a kid he did some bad stuff
Stole some gum lied to his mom and acted real tough
Broke some rules stole some tools set fire to the shed
Thought he’d be cool around the school got grounded instead

Don’t do what HE did
Don’t do what HE did
Don’t get in all that trouble
Don’t do what HE did

My aunt said “I should be dead!” when she fell from that tree
She climbed too high poked her eye got stung by a bee
It was almost dark when she reached the park and started to climb
She knew all along she was doing wrong but she didn’t mind

Don’t do what SHE did
Don’t do what SHE did
Don’t get in all that trouble
Don’t do what SHE did

But how are we supposed to learn?!
It’s only fair we get our turn
To get into trouble of our own
With our friends or all alone
We want to get in trouble too—we really really really do
To know what’s right but do what’s wrong
And worry our parents all night long

My mom told me she took the car when she was 15
She didn’t have her license if you know what I mean
Quick as a mouse snuck out of house and drove to the store
Didn’t get very far ‘cuz she smashed the car into the front door

Don’t do what SHE did
Don’t do what SHE did
Don’t get in all that trouble
Don’t do what SHE did

My brother told me a story from his earlier days
He was only 8 when he climbed the gate and wandered away
Our parents thought he was sleeping all snug in his bed
But he was watching TV at the neighbours instead

Don’t do what HE did
Don’t do what HE did
Don’t get in all that trouble
Don’t do what HE did

It’s not easy being a kid
Everybody telling you not to do what they did
Everybody telling you not to do what they did
It’s not easy being a kid

Don’t do what WE did
Don’t do what WE did
Don’t get in all that trouble
Don’t do what WE did

Don’t do what WE did
Don’t do what WE did
Don’t get in all that trouble
Don’t get in all the trouble
Don’t do what WE did
Don’t do what WE did
Don’t do what WE—did!