am I being over sensitive or is this wrong?

[cherryade8]

At a recent family gathering my dd (16mo) was playing on the floor with her cousins, three boys aged 2,3 and 4. They were hugging and giggling as babies/young children do and my uncle piped up 'oh she's flirting with the boys' about my baby girl at which point I said, 'no, she's playing'. But my uncle ignored me.

Later on, dd and her 3yo cousin were hugging again and gave each other a kiss. My uncle commented again that my dd was flirting with the boys and kissing them, again I told him they were playing. He insisted that it was kissing and flirtation, not playing

Aibu to be annoyed about this? I don't like my baby dd being described as a flirt.

[Buzzardbird]

It makes my skin crawl YANBU. I'm sure he probably didn't mean anything by it but why the fuck do some people insist on sexualizing babies.
I was told my todler looked 'sexy' in her maxi-dress and denim jacket...what?

[cansu]

He is v stupid and I would be irritated but you need to relax.getting pissed off is OTT and a bit PFB.

[NadiaWadia]

YANBU, it is a bit creepy. Although he probably means no harm (as many people who describe their babies as 'sexy' as a term of endearment, WTF?) but it is inappropriate really.

[Samnella]

It's wrong but I think you are also being a bit oversensitive. I try not to sweat over the small stuff and this person just sounds a bit thoughtless. I hate it when people try to attribute sexual behaviour to young children so I know what you mean. My friend insists her 5 year old daughter is after the year 6 boys at school. I just find it rather but if I said anything to her she would be mortified as she just hasn't thought it through in the way that I have. It's odd but I am guessing he was just commenting and wasn't being serious.

[ArabellaBeaumaris]

YANBU to be annoyed. People do this though.

[coughingbean]

My DD is 9mo and whenever she smiles at a man, be it her dad, granddad etc my MIL says the exact same thing and I hate it.
It makes me feel a bit sick TBH.
I didn't know what to say to her before but reading your post gave me some ideas! So thanks and I do Not think you are being unreasonable!

[GoodbyePorkPie]

It is creepy and I don't think you're being unreasonable. Well done for saying something.

I was once told by a woman on the train that my DD was a "little lesbian" because she was smiling at some girls. I had steam coming out my ears, I'm sure she won't forget me in a hurry!

[MortifiedAdams]

Hmmm....I can see why it would bug you, but I also use the word 'flirt' about babies (boy and girl) who coo at adults.

[PinsAndNoodles]

I hate this too. I was looking round a nursery once and overheard one of the nursery workers call one of the children 'gay' for having kissed another boy. Went straight to the manager and obviously didn't use said nursery!