To not find any other kids cute, except mine?

I also have got to like lots of my dds' friends, some almost straight away, some took a bit longer & some not at all! These tended to be the rude entitled ones that my dds didn't really choose as proper friends anyway so I didn't have to put up with them too much. They also tend to be more interesting as they get older.

I always remember a trip to the cinema for dd's birthday with 5 of her friends, all aged 9/10 at the time. I predicted which of the 6 would misbehave & not be able to sit still or consider that others might want to watch the film. I was right each time.

I think it’s normal to think your own are ‘better, in every way, for me that extended to nieces/nephews/friends children, but I still used to find other kids cute or sweet. I never found most other kids irritating, although some were awful if they were not parented well. What I have found is that now my own children, nieces, nephews, friends kids are teens and older, I don’t feel as maternal as I used to, I don’t coo over babies anymore and don’t notice notice young kids like I used to. I suppose I’m just past that stage but I expect it’ll come back if my children, nieces nephews, friends kids have kids themselves.

I always remember staying with my friend for a few months. Her son was about 9 months at the time. To me he was just another kid to start with. I then got to know him over the months & really bonded with him & found him really sweet. So I think a lot of it is about getting to know other kids, if you want to, and forming a bond with rhem

I like children if they have the same charming habits that I admire in adults - politeness, kindness, humbleness and good manners.

I can't stand spoilt, rude children and I can't stand spoilt, rude adults.

Most children and most adults are lovely.

It is weird isn't it. I love kids generally but when I had my baby I genuinely believed he was the most beautiful baby ever. Like I felt sorry for other parents. When I look back at pictures he appears to have been a pretty standard edition wrinkly new born.

I’m pretty sure we biologically programmed to only find our own adorable
I don’t mind other people, but obviously they’re nowhere near as cute as mine

Ha I agree with that, but for some reason if I'm at a wedding reception, barbecue, party etc, every time, without fail, kids flock round me pestering me to play with them. Even random kids I don't even know. Of course I always give in and play with the pesky little people.

There’s nothing more annoying than other people’s kids.

I only like the smell of my own kids, think they look cuter, find their habits charming, etc. It's all down to brain chemicals that prevent us from getting bored/disgusted and abandoning them.

You do sound rather cold.
Obviously most of us are biased towards thinking only our own kids/family’s kids are cutest but to say no other babies are is ridiculous.
All babies are cute, I can honestly say I’ve never seen an ugly baby (is that even a thing?) babies surely can’t be ugly!

Don't have kids. Find some kids cute, others less so.

I find most young children cute. Obviously, it was on a different level when it was my own dc, but I do genuinely enjoy being around most young children. I understand that others feel differently and that's fair enough.

Now I have my own kids there is a marked dofference in how I feel aboyt others children. It must be hormonal / maternal or something chemical based. I used to think other kids were cute not many but after having my own I only see mine as cute and adorable. Only compounded when we go to soft play / park and I see how rude and annoying other kids are and mine are polite and well behaved. It is not just looks but for me manners and character.
So odd as I was never like that a before. So I assume it is a chemical / maternal thingbob.

Tbf some MNetters are an antisocial bunch.
There isn't much that they do like.
No unexpected visitors, dislike of dogs, dislike of children, dislike of vaping, dislike of overweight people, dislike neighbours who dare make a sound.

I do generally like them, but if u read other threads on MN it seems your view often comes across as the norm (they own like their ‘own’).

I've never found kids cute. Young kids generically do nothing for me whatsoever. Babies look wrinkly and small kids just look like they've come out of an M&S catalogue.

There's always a cohort of people in my office who swarm around babies when they are brought in and cuddle them/pass them around. I find it bizarre. They all look exactly the same and they don't do anything.

I found my own DD unbearably cute and it was a huge shock because until I had her it had never occurred to me to feel anything other than indifference/mild irritation towards children.

i am obviously biased towards my own but he is a baby so I’m sure at some point in the next 2 decades I’ll find him a pain!
but I feel somewhat the opposite
a couple of my nieces/nephews I find lovely and enjoy spending time with them, some I genuinely dread - but I think that’s more how my siblings/in laws have raised them
my close friend has kids and they are absolutely a joy to be around

Some kids are cute, some are not. Some are irritating

I tolerate other kids, that's it

Mine are goated, obviously

You are a wonderful professionnal and the children are lucky to have you. Very intelligent to discuss when you're not able to connect to a child and let another worker compensate.
When I worked in nursery I remember feeling a strong dislike towards a little blond 3 year old. I generally love all children (after getting to know them) so I felt really bad about disliking this girl. And then it dawned on me: she reminded me of myself at her age. And I do have some sad things that happened to me and this girl triggered memories. I was so relieved that I wasn't a psycho actually disliking a little girl who had done nothing to merit my feelings. I did speak to a coworker to explain and gradually the dislike disappeared. Talking about things can really make a difference.

I've often wondered (but not wanted to ask) if people are more drawn towards children of the same race as themselves? Is there some evolutionary element to what we find cute?

Can't say if you're reasonable or not, each to their own. I do find children in general quite cute unless they are feral. I remember being aupair for this wonderful little feisty girl of 2 years who was the most adorable child I've ever come across. Her mum was really cold, nothing like her sweet girl. And yes, she was cuter than my boys😅. I can still see objectively if a kid is cuter than mine even though I love mine to death I can look at them objectively as well.

I tend to like all kids, I have to stop myself weirdly staring at babies like psycho because they fascinate me. I love a toddler interaction but I have less tolerance for strangers as they get older. I work with kids age 3 to 5 and there is something about them that touches your soul, even the most annoying ones! Every once in a while there is a child in my room that I just don't seem to like or bond with and I feel awful guilty but I just can't seem to like them. My colleagues and I always try to talk to each other about this to make sure the other person compensates a bit or becomes key worker. Funnily enough it always balances out. I love how completely unique they all are.

Ohhh sorry I meant no offence 🤣

No, I mean I rather like monkeys...