I was in the park yesterday, and a mum said this to her toddler...

[PavlovtheCat]

...who was following my toddler daughter around.

'mckenzie, you flirt! You are such a flirt, you fancy her don't ya, yeah I can tell you do, you flirt!'

Calls over to a friend...

'look at mckenzie following that girl around, he so fancies her! Flirt, he is!'

The boy was about 3.

I was a bit [shocked]. She found it highly amusing

• I frequently joke that my DS's (particularly my younger 2) are "flirting" with the girls

Poor kid. he'll grow up with issues.

loads of people use that word for kids - rank

gross

however I must say I never say that they "fancy" anyone -just that they're flirting

issues? about what? flirting?

FAQ - i also have a friend who says this on the odd occasion, and although I find it a bit odd, it has not really had much of an impact, however - this person was making a really big thing of it, like she wanted him to be flirting with my daughter, and actively 'encouraging' what she considered to be 'flirting'.

It did not strike me as a harmless through away comment, but something that she says regularly every time her son encounters a girl.

I found it, well debasing? Is that the right word?

A mum at school keeps telling my ds (3y) how 'sexy' he looks in his school uniform!

It really winds me up but I am not sure what to say really as we are on the PTA together and I know she is only joking but FGS and ds looks at her not knowing what she is on about!!

I totally know where you are coming from!

I suppose that's a bit different - I only say it when DS2 and 3 are acting all "coy" (turning head away slightly, fluttering their eye lashes etc at the girls/ladies.......they never do it to the boys/men that coo over them )

FAQ - I am sure its a bit different - all this poor kid was doing was running after my DD to play on a seesaw, and the other came running after him.

Majelka - oh I would have to say something to that, it is just wrong, even if meant in humour

If you can't talk to members of the opposite sex without someone teasing, then yes, not exactly going to inspire self confidence as you grow up.

Pea - teasing is fine...but sexual inuendo's to a toddler? I dont think so.