Your Baby Is Not Flirting With Me.

A few weeks ago we had a super fun family day out with another couple and their lovely daughter. During our lovely day out we all went and got pizza at a local restaurant. While we were there my lovely daughter (age 4) and other couple’s lovely daughter (age 2) noticed a baby at a nearby table. I’d say this baby was around 4 months. I could be wrong, it’s hard telling how old a baby is for real without asking them for their ID, they all kinda look the same age after they can sit up. So, anyway, this baby who was a boy, was really excited to see older kids. That’s what babies do. They like other kids, especially older ones. Our friend’s lovely daughter (2) was really excited to see the baby. She went over to hang out with him. It was all very cute. Until, the baby’s mom said “Oh, he’s such a flirt. He likes you, he’s flirting with you.” 

    If this was a movie, right now you would hear that sound of a needle being pulled across a record. You know “screeewhuummpsshrrehhh”. That’s what happened in my head. There are few things that touch my yuck button harder than a parent implying that their baby, toddler, preschooler, etc., is flirting. No lady, your baby is not flirting. He is not a ladies man. He just likes other kids. If our friend’s lovely daughter (2) was our friend’s lovely son, would she have said that? Oh hell no! (Although if I have another kid I might totally start inferring that my child is flirting with same sex children just to see the awesome reactions from people. OK I won’t because I don’t think it’s cool to sexulize children even if it’s hilarious.). Also, just to make sure we are all on the same page here, this is the definition of  flirt: playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest. Is that the kind of thing you want to imply that your very,very young child is up to? Trying to make sexy feelings in another very very young child? No? Then knock it off. 
  This phenomenon is only grosser when people infer that very, very young children are “flirting” with wayyyy older kids, like teens – or adults. It is so beyond wrong, I don’t even feel like I can get into all the reasons why it is wrong, because if you don’t get it already, you probably won’t ever.
   Anyway, I feel better now I have that off my chest, it’s been bugging me for like 3 weeks. 

2 thoughts on “Your Baby Is Not Flirting With Me.

  1. Okay, I had to chuckle a little 'cause that phrase has been overly used for generations when referring to children. Although when going by the true meaning of the word it is wrong I have always thought it to be harmless. On the other hand, now that you've pointed it out it will probably gross me out every time I hear it from now on. And I'll hear the needle screeching on the record. Thanks for the thought-provoking post and I'm glad you got it off your chest. 🙂 Have a great weekend.

  2. Thanks for reading! I'm a word/grammar junkie. The flirting comment has bugged me forever! I always just say "Aw, he/she really likes you!" I'm still looking for a better word though 😉

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