I went through a phase when I was 13 where I would only fall in love with people over the age of 19 or 20. I never had a real relationship with any of these people but it was definitely the guy I wanted to hang out with and wanted to go on trips with. I would be like 'But Daddy he's a musician!'.
Children love and want to be loved and they very much prefer the joy of accomplishment to the triumph of hateful failure. Do not mistake a child for his symptom.