baby flirts

lately i seem to have charmed several childs at work. a couple days ago, a 3-year-old invited me back to his house to share his toys, because "you're a very beautiful girl, avery." when i told his mother, who works in the baby room at the center, about his invitation, she first laughed indulgently at her "flirt of a son." she then gushed, lightly, about what a good thing that is for my relationship with him. she said it means he's not threatened by me, as he is by his peers--he gets anxious about sharing the toys. thanks? flattering, i suppose. today, when i walked into the baby room, one boychild, about 10-months-old, beamed and followed me across the room with his eyes. when i washed my hands and turned around to greet him, looking him in the eye, he let a huge hiccup-y giggle, and then a sigh--one of relaxation, satisfaction, and gratification. the part-time helper called him out, laughing that he was a shameless flirt.

yet again, the kiddos seem to have gotten it right before the rest of us. this is validation. sure, you could call it flirting, as the women did, but that introduces clammy preteen ideas of fluttering eyelashes and barely cleavage. it's natural and healthy to let someone know when they are making you so happy. when you want to share your toys with them. when it makes you smile just for them to look at you. it doesn't have to do with sex or love games. it's about acknowledging that human contact is stimulating and exhilarating and beautiful. let's tell people we love when we are loving them, when their simple presence is all you need right then.