Flirting with disaster

21st February 2007

posted in Pregnancy, Career Advancement, Mom Rants |

According to an article in Sunday’s New York Times, “flirting at work is flirting with trouble.” That may be true, I guess (although I beg you to find one person who hasn’t dated somebody they work with or at least wanted to date at some point in their career.) But the article’s topic made me think long and hard about yet another hurdle a new mother has to overcome after she’s had her baby: flirting. Like trying to get your body back (ha!), preventing your hair from falling out (double ha!), and figuring out how to take care of a baby (no comment), a girl’s gotta learn how to flirt again after she becomes a mother. I mean, the only man in my life that I’ve flirted with in the past 10 months is my ~~husband~~ son. Flirting is a necessary evil that we all have to remember how to do once we’ve given birth. You’ve been out of practice for 9 10 long months, and well, when you’re waddling around with a beach ball in your stomach, you’re not exactly prime to give bedroom eyes. Case in point: one of my preggo friends has an obsession with Wenthworth Miller. I hate to break it to her, but this is NOT realistic flirting material (even if he is beyond gorgeous, and smart, and a good actor, oh, Wentworth.)

Personally, I don’t think it matters where you figure out how to flirt again. (No matter how “irksome” it might be in the workplace. (As long of course, that the flirting at work is not inappropriate. But you’re a mom, you wouldn’t be inappropriate, right?) Since I’ve had my son, I’ve tried to flirt again at a bar, the grocery store, the airplane (that was more like hard-core staring), the line at the cell phone shop, Starbucks. You name the place, I’ve probably flirted there. I guess practice makes perfect, right?

Who’s with me on this one!? C’mon all you silent readers… I know you’re out there, flirting away…

Tags: New York Times, flirting, new mother, new mommy, pregnancy

Follow the RSS Feed, leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

1 On February 21st, 2007, Ishkabibble said:

Now that you mention it, I realize I flirt mostly with people who’re toting children the age of mine or younger, if starting unsolicited small talk with mostly other women could be called flirting. Being so socially out of practice, I don’t progress much beyond that; otherwise I’m mostly staring at my feet hoping not to trip over anything. Last week I kissed my 4th grader goodbye and his teacher looked up at me with a wink and puckered lips as if he wanted a kiss too (he’s cute and straight so I wouldn’t have minded), but I was completely dumbfounded. Even three days later I still haven’t thought of a snappy comeback. Darn those kids! They took my body AND my mind.

2 On February 21st, 2007, maya said:

The timing of your post is just perfect. This past weekend my husband and I actually discussed this…sharing stories about how each of us was getting noticed. What is funny is that we were so happy and excited for each other for engaging in mild flirting even after becoming parents ;). While I am extremely professional at work, I see myself trying to be a little more “charming” at cafes, bookstores and such…I guess it is my way of restoring my self confidence in my body and mind. Compliments that made me uncomfortable before now make me happy (make that proud;)) and I hear myself saying (with a coy smile, ofcourse;)) something like “I can totally use that compliment considering i have a 5 month old at home and am barely getting any sleep!” …and THEN I look back hoping they stare back in disbelief so I can get another little kick HAHA …it is all so hilarious

3 On February 22nd, 2007, Lauren said:

I am already “out” on the flirting front. I’m a firm believer in establishing work spouses.

While we flirt a bit, my relationship with my “work husband” is strictly platonic, of course. It’s nice to have someone looking out for you in the office–my work husband provides me with painkillers and candy. He notices when I get a new haircut. We know the details of each other’s lives, and we provide moral support for each other.

4 On February 22nd, 2007, selfmademom said: