craigdailypress.com

I have a co-worker who stoutly maintains his dislike of children.

Yet, the last time my 4-year-old daughter, Katie, was in the office, he was crouched on the floor trying to coax Katie out from under my desk with a necklace of some sort.

He even put it on to show her what a great thing it was.

I've met a lot of people who say they don't like children. The funny thing is that I've never met a person who actually doesn't like them.

Most of the boys I knew in college couldn't even talk about having children and swore they never would.

They now are some of the most devoted fathers you can imagine.

The aversion isn't always personality-based. I've discovered it often is fear-based. Men particularly seem to have a hard time with the idea of interacting with something so small and needy. Being solely in charge of another person's health, well-being and happiness is a serious undertaking -- unfathomable when maintaining your own health and well-being is hard enough.

But, children generally come out on top in the battle of avoidance.

Children are enigmas that draw out even the most cantankerous of people.

I really think that's because, no matter what your personality type, there's a child with a personality to match.

Plus, children are persistent.

It's hard to not want to cuddle my sweet and accommodating 3-year-old, Nikki. And, if you manage it, she'll sense it and immediately get started converting you. She'll win -- I guarantee it.

But for those averse to cuddling, there's Katie.

Katie presents a challenge. Those who are self-professed anti-child people are particularly prone to get caught in her haughty web.

From the introductory glare, to the deliberate snub, Katie's particular personality seems to appeal specifically to anti-child people.

It's like they can't handle being the snubees, so they'll go out of their way to establish a relationship.

It's most amusing to see the lengths these people will go to.

You may not want to sign up for a lifetime of duty -- for diapers and sickness and bedtime battles. You may not want to choose seats near children in a theater or restaurant, but few can resist the challenge of coaxing a smile from a child.

And I think that's the way it's meant to be. Children are built to be appealing -- much in the same way puppies are. It takes dedicated people to see them through to adulthood, but there's always time -- and always just enough of a soft spot -- for a little attention.

Christina M. Currie can be reached at 824-7031.