Well, ya. One's own children are a special case. Even so, they can test you (thinking of the house ape that moved back into my basement).

But universally, I try to meet everyone, especially children, where they're at. Children get a lot more chances to learn how to throw the ball back. And I always leave the door open.

TMI: one of the biggest surprise to me is connecting with nieces / nephews when they're much older, when we didn't particularly like each other earlier.