Is "sexy" an appropriate term of endearment for an infant?

[ribbit1019]

In addition, saying than an infant is flirting with someone (i.e. smiling and cooing)?

ETA: a couple more options. :)

Christy
My Waterbabies
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[DebbieJ]

I think sexy is not appropriate, but I do make the flirting joke.

~ deb
DS born at home 12/03
2 year check up: 25 lbs with clothes on and 35 inches!
BFARed for 20 months and 6 days
(Breastfeeding After Reduction is possible! www.bfar.org)

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[sidmand]

I agree that I don't think "sexy" is appropriate, but I have said and heard that DS is "flirting" and don't mind that.

Debbie
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[Alice523]

I think sexy is an odd word to use, but I have been told that my son is a flirt by everyone from my mother to the saleswoman at Macy's. He always has the same look on his face when someone says it.

[kep]

I hate the word sexy being used to describe little children. However, I do think "flirt" is okay, as it usually is not describing anything sexual, but more refers to "look how cute he is, he's trying to get your attention".

Kelli
Proud Mommy to Lukey (4.2003)
And a new baby due Christmas Eve, 2006

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/34503.jpg Weaned after 3 years!

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[overcome]

You know, "sexy" has recently become one of those catch-all descriptive words that doesn't have to do with being sexual. Kind of like "hot". As a matter of fact, I think sexy has replaced hot AND I think Paris Hilton made both of them popular.

I heard someone refer to a certain stock as sexy the other day...and it wasn't a stock that had to do with anything remotely related to sex!

That being said, I voted no to sexy but yes to flirting.

Just curious....what made you inquire?

[Jo..]

An old (Irish) co-worker used to call everything "sexy" or "gorgeous"...delicious food, a warm blanket, you name it.

It rubbed off on me, and I have been known to tell my dogs they are very sexy :D.

Depending on the tone, I don't see anything wrong with it.

[ribbit1019]

IL's refer to DS this way (they also did it when DD was small) It makes me extremely uncomfortable. Though the use of "Sexy" far more than the flirting, but they both bother me.

I tried to elaborate a couple of times but couldn't word it nicely. ;) Hence, just the question. :)

Christy
My Waterbabies
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[MarisaSF]

I used to think "flirting" was okay, but an older man said "She's flirting with me" about my daughter the other day and I felt quite uncomfortable about it.

[bostonsmama]

Ewww...there's just something about the other way around (older men saying it to little girls or boys) that creeps me out. Maybe I've watched too many episodes of the Family Guy w/ that old pedophile and how Chris is always running into him.......ewwww.

For me, I've coo'ed to infant boys before that they're being a big flirt (when batting their eyes at or showing off for another pretty store clerk, etc), but never for myself. I don't know if I just don't consider myself "flirt-worthy" or that it just makes me really uncomfortable for someone to associate a child and a very grown-up act with me. I'd much rather someone say, "He likes you," or "You make him happy," than "He's flirting w/ you."

Interesting question. And no, "sexy" would not make the Top 20 adjectives I'd use to describe a baby.

Larissa
"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure." Rom 5:3

Proud Aunt to Jack Dorian, b. 3/06

[nicoleandjackson]

OMG! I almost posted this in B!tching a while back. I am addicted to McDonald's fountain Diet Coke, and when I go through the drive-thru at the McD's down the street, the guy at Window 1 invariably recognizes DS (who flat-out refuses to leave the house without his sunglasses and Legoland baseball cap on, and is, therefore, highly recognizable, since what other four-year-old looks like an incognito Hollywood actor?) and yells out to him, "Hey, sexy!" It irritates me to no end. Not only am I in danger of having DS parrot that out loud, but I don't want to have to explain to him what the term "sexy" means.

So, no. If it is highly inappropriate for a preschooler, then it is most definitely inapproprate for an infant.

Nicole
Mommy of Jackson 4/30/02

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[jbowman]

I have never heard "sexy" uttered in relation to an infant, and if I did, I think I'd punch the person.

I would never say "flirting" in regard to a child's behavior. I hate when I hear other people say it.

Just my two cents. :)

edited for spelling

[jennifer13]

I feel strongly that describing even an infant's behavior as "flirting" is wrong and dangerous. Our culture sexualizes children, as do sexual abusers and pedophiles. Sometimes it's even used as a criminal defense, that a child was somehow being provacative. Personally i have never even heard of a baby being called sexy, but same feeling applies.

Jennifer
Mom to Norah 5/23/03
and Leah 3/24/05

[southernaccent]

"Sexy" for an infant makes me want to throw up. Many people said my infant son was flirting and at first I didn't like it but now even I say it sometimes. It's definitely not as bad as "sexy" but I don't think it's 100 percent appropriate.

[ribbit1019]

That was my opinion (sexualizing an infant/small child is wrong) and the root of my argument with DH over this. I will not say anything to IL's as I noticed they stopped doing it with DD after she learned how to walk. But I still don't like it and I have a few more months to endure it as DS won't be walking for a while. :(

Christy
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[Tondi G]

Are they talking to him and saying "hey Sexy!" like I might say to a little boy "hey handsome"! I dunno... It just wouldn't be a word that would come to mind when looking at a baby/child! I've played around with my boys and said "hey,whats happenin hot stuff!".... but I'm their mom!

I voted flirting Yes sexy No! Aidan smiles at everyone... men and women... Mason used to pick out ladies and seriously was flirting and showing off! LOL

~Tondi
Mommy to Mason 7/8/01 and Aidan 5/4/05