I believe that hating math is a product of traditional teaching methods. A love for numbers and counting is natural.
It's much like reading. Children would continue to enjoy books if child-led learning was allowed and encouraged.
By the way, in response to the curriculum question, I've heard GREAT things about Math U See.
the program doesn't really matter since whatever we do, children - most of them anyway - will still end up hating math. I say just give them everything there is! haha!