{"id":127,"date":"2024-10-31T14:48:01","date_gmt":"2024-10-31T14:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/?p=127"},"modified":"2024-10-31T14:48:03","modified_gmt":"2024-10-31T14:48:03","slug":"the-restaurant-fined-me-for-bad-parenting-my-response-was-brutal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/archives\/127","title":{"rendered":"The Restaurant Fined Me for \u2018Bad Parenting\u2019 \u2014 My Response Was Brutal"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class='\"entry-header\"'>\n<p>When I treated myself and my son to a meal at a fancy restaurant, the last thing I expected was to be slapped with a fine for simply being a mom. So, I did what any outraged parent would do: I fought back, but creatively.\n</p><div class='\"entry-content\"'>\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>I\u2019ve never been one to complain, but what happened yesterday at this \u201cupscale\u201d restaurant? That was beyond insulting. Picture this\u2014I\u2019m a single mom, and like every single mom out there, I work hard. Really hard. So when I decided to treat myself and my 5-year-old son, Tommy, to a nice meal out, I thought I deserved it.\n\n</p><div>\n<div class='\"Qh\"'>\n<div class='\"Sh\"'>\n<div class='\"je\"'><picture><source srcset='\"https:\/\/imgproxy.amomama.com\/Sruf30ba2fquvEVB5tFq_rCEKrNqOvUvslQ1pAO_hgY\/rs:fill:375:0:1\/g:no\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vZjFlODkyYTMyZDc2YjM5ZGQ4MjkxMjkxOGNiOGMwZGRkOGI5ZjJiMGIwODhhMmJiOGVjZTY0OTkwMzdmMTVhMC5wbmc_d2lkdGg9MTAyNCZoZWlnaHQ9MTAyNA.jpg' type='\"image\/jpeg\"' sizes='\"(max-width:'></source><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"fe' th src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/cdn.amomama.com%5C/f1e892a32d76b39dd82912918cb8c0ddd8b9f2b0b088a2bb8ece6499037f15a0.png%5C%22" alt='\"Mother' and son at a fancy restaurant source: midjourney width='\"1024\"' height='\"1024\"'>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>What I didn\u2019t know was that this restaurant had some unwritten policy\u2026 apparently, they fine moms for simply being moms. So, we walked into this fancy place. Immediately, the hostess gave me that look, you know, the \u201cOh great, a mom with a kid\u201d look. I brushed it off. Not the first time.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>\u201cHi, table for two?\u201d I asked, keeping it polite.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>\u201cOf course,\u201d she said, though her tone might as well have been, \u201cGood luck, honey.\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<div class='\"adv\"'>\n\n<div>\n<div class='\"Qh\"'>\n<div class='\"Sh\"'>\n<div class='\"je\"'><picture><source srcset='\"https:\/\/imgproxy.amomama.com\/MhJSY-_o7WEZHoYOCHi4bwcVn3aSvzWyOTkcNltfd5c\/rs:fill:375:0:1\/g:no\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vNzdmMjYwOWU1NTAzODNhNTY1MWJmZjY0YWI3MTkyMTQ2OGM0ZmMzZjMwYTNkNjM3YWQ5NDBjMTNmNGI4NzhjMC5wbmc_d2lkdGg9MTAyNCZoZWlnaHQ9MTAyNA.jpg' type='\"image\/jpeg\"' sizes='\"(max-width:'></source><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"fe' th src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/cdn.amomama.com%5C/77f2609e550383a5651bff64ab71921468c4fc3f30a3d637ad940c13f4b878c0.png%5C%22" alt='\"Hostess' talking to mother and son at a restaurant source: midjourney width='\"1024\"' height='\"1024\"'>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>Whatever. We sat down, and Tommy was already bouncing in his seat, eyes wide at the chandeliers like we were in some magical kingdom. I get it\u2014everything\u2019s exciting when you\u2019re five. We ordered.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>I got him chicken nuggets and fries, something safe. He kept busy, trying to color in the kid\u2019s menu with those terrible restaurant crayons that barely work. Halfway through coloring, he threw one across the table.\n\n</p><div>\n<div class='\"Qh\"'>\n<div class='\"Sh\"'>\n<div class='\"je\"'><picture><source srcset='\"https:\/\/imgproxy.amomama.com\/yUNA5GsVK6Fp72uZeLxuqddTPHyXdv6xWLo70G3rWMM\/rs:fill:375:0:1\/g:no\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vZjJmY2QxYWZjNTc0NDA3YzVjOTM2YzI5MjZjMDRhN2I5ODhiOWU2YzI0ZjMxZTM2ODk1NmNhZDJhNzhjZTdkZC5wbmc_d2lkdGg9MTAyNCZoZWlnaHQ9MTAyNA.jpg' type='\"image\/jpeg\"' sizes='\"(max-width:'></source><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"fe' th src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/cdn.amomama.com%5C/f2fcd1afc574407c5c936c2926c04a7b988b9e6c24f31e368956cad2a78ce7dd.png%5C%22" alt='\"Five' year old boy holding a crayon source: midjourney width='\"1024\"' height='\"1024\"'>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>\u201cTommy,\u201d I whispered, trying to reel him in.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>\u201cSorry, Mama,\u201d he said with a grin that made it hard to stay mad.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>A few fries followed. Okay, maybe it\u2019s getting a bit wild, but nothing outrageous. The place wasn\u2019t even that crowded. I kept calm, hoping no one was watching too closely. But then, Tommy stood up, eyes gleaming like he had some master plan.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>\u201cStay in your seat,\u201d I warned, but of course, five-year-olds don\u2019t take warnings.\n\n</p><div>\n<div class='\"Qh\"'>\n<div class='\"Sh\"'>\n<div class='\"je\"'><picture><source srcset='\"https:\/\/imgproxy.amomama.com\/cB1pQrz3pq882HMd_AQEJuzueuaGIJ5VkR8rWXlT3ts\/rs:fill:375:0:1\/g:no\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vZjc0MzgyZTU2ZGRjODk0ZmFmMzQ5YjQ0ZDcxNjJhYTNhMTM1YTUxODM0ZThiMTViZWJkMjYxMWM5ZTI2ZWI2NS5wbmc_d2lkdGg9MTAyNCZoZWlnaHQ9MTAyNA.jpg' type='\"image\/jpeg\"' sizes='\"(max-width:'></source><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"fe' th src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/cdn.amomama.com%5C/f74382e56ddc894faf349b44d7162aa3a135a51834e8b15bebd2611c9e26eb65.png%5C%22" alt='\"Mom' and son having a meal at fancy restaurant source: midjourney width='\"1024\"' height='\"1024\"'>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>He started circling the table, giggling, his shoes tapping on the tile. A couple of waiters glanced over, annoyed. The hostess? Oh, she was watching.\n\n</p><div>\n<div class='\"adv\"'>\n\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>\u201cSit down, bud,\u201d I urged, but before I could grab him, his feet slid out from under him. The floor\u2014slippery as ice\u2014sent him sprawling.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>He was okay, but I wasn\u2019t \u201cYou okay, baby?\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>\u201cYeah\u2026\u201d he muttered, picking himself up.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>Of course, I was concerned, but I was fuming at how unsafe the floor was. It was not my fault they couldn\u2019t keep their restaurant safe for children!\n\n</p><div>\n<div class='\"Qh\"'>\n<div class='\"Sh\"'>\n<div class='\"je\"'><picture><source srcset='\"https:\/\/imgproxy.amomama.com\/lsItOgi0mPStGjgDBJ0rkGNsuARsG9g-nUL68pa-SAA\/rs:fill:375:0:1\/g:no\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vNDYzZjFjYWE5NjA4NDMxMWU3NWQyOThhMDZjMWU0YjM0ZGFmNTk2N2EzNGVlNjRhNTIxYThhOTc3NDMxNTQ5MC5wbmc_d2lkdGg9MTAyNCZoZWlnaHQ9MTAyNA.jpg' type='\"image\/jpeg\"' sizes='\"(max-width:'></source><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"fe' th src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/cdn.amomama.com%5C/463f1caa96084311e75d298a06c1e4b34daf5967a34ee64a521a8a9774315490.png%5C%22" alt='\"Young' boy falling on a restaurant floor source: midjourney width='\"1024\"' height='\"1024\"'>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>After calming Tommy down and finishing our meal, I paid the bill without a second thought. Honestly, I was too tired to care about much else\u2014I just wanted to get home, put on some cartoons for him, and crash on the couch.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>Later that night, I was going through my receipts, trying to figure out how I managed to spend so much on a simple dinner, when something caught my eye. Right there, buried under the \u201cAdministrative Fee\u201d and \u201cWaiter Tip,\u201d was a line that made my blood boil: Parenting Fee.\n\n</p><div>\n<div class='\"Qh\"'>\n<div class='\"Sh\"'>\n<div class='\"je\"'><picture><source srcset='\"https:\/\/imgproxy.amomama.com\/30TFu0pSpPkr84XAZOViILQSdI137hJyjROoGLlcuYs\/rs:fill:375:0:1\/g:no\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vMmM3MzdlNjg5MTNlYTU3MzE2OTQzZjI4OGFjNjE5MTZhMzU0NDJlMGMwMWE2MjdlMDU0ZjNjM2U3ZmI2YmU4Yi5wbmc_d2lkdGg9MTAyNCZoZWlnaHQ9MTAyNA.jpg' type='\"image\/jpeg\"' sizes='\"(max-width:'></source><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"fe' th src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/cdn.amomama.com%5C/2c737e68913ea57316943f288ac61916a35442e0c01a627e054f3c3e7fb6be8b.png%5C%22" alt='\"Lady' going through her bill source: midjourney width='\"1024\"' height='\"1024\"'>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>I blinked, staring at it like it would somehow disappear if I looked long enough. A fee? For what, exactly? For bringing my child into their precious restaurant? For not having him sit perfectly still like a robot?\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>\u201cYou\u2019ve gotta be kidding me,\u201d I muttered to myself.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>Tommy, who was playing on the floor nearby, looked up. \u201cWhat, Mama?\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>\u201cNothing, baby,\u201d I said, trying to keep my voice calm. But inside, I was livid. They charged me because they didn\u2019t like how I handled my own kid! The audacity. I knew right then I wasn\u2019t going to let this slide.\n\n</p><div>\n<div class='\"adv\"'>\n\n<div>\n<div class='\"Qh\"'>\n<div class='\"Sh\"'>\n<div class='\"je\"'><picture><source srcset='\"https:\/\/imgproxy.amomama.com\/AYQy2Oc_zziFkcxoBVOTI41JH2h2Tgvaw0VprwqZ324\/rs:fill:375:0:1\/g:no\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vYzM0NjAyYmI1ODA0Y2ViODE1NDU2Yzg3MDBmZGVlMGQzOTQ1NDdiNzkwODA3Y2ZiYjNjOTE1YTUyOGFlOTEwMi5wbmc_d2lkdGg9MTAyNCZoZWlnaHQ9MTAyNA.jpg' type='\"image\/jpeg\"' sizes='\"(max-width:'></source><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"fe' th src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/cdn.amomama.com%5C/c34602bb5804ceb815456c8700fdee0d394547b790807cfbb3c915a528ae9102.png%5C%22" alt='\"Woman' going through her bills source: midjourney width='\"1024\"' height='\"1024\"'>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>The next morning, I was still seething, and that\u2019s when the idea hit me. If they\u2019re going to fine me for being a parent, I\u2019ll give them something to think about. I grabbed my laptop and started designing a sign\u2014a beautiful, family-friendly sign that looked just like one of their promotions.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>\u201cThis Caf\u00e9 Welcomes All Kids! For Families with 3 Kids or More \u2013 Get 20% Off Your Bill!\u201d I even added adorable little clip art of smiling kids holding balloons. You\u2019d never know it wasn\u2019t an official promotion.\n\n</p><div>\n<div class='\"Qh\"'>\n<div class='\"Sh\"'>\n<div class='\"je\"'><picture><source srcset='\"https:\/\/imgproxy.amomama.com\/f19FLh9XSDUHqEnkhd7DmZhYcmtwFeMUw7kdwNBjoi4\/rs:fill:375:0:1\/g:no\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vZDJlY2NmNDk3OGRkZjMwYjM3NzQ5MTA3OTFkZjgwMmQ4NzI0MTkzNmY0MGJhNDE3NTg3NGY0ODZjMzM1ZTc2NS5wbmc_d2lkdGg9MTAyNCZoZWlnaHQ9MTAyNA.jpg' type='\"image\/jpeg\"' sizes='\"(max-width:'></source><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"fe' th src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/cdn.amomama.com%5C/d2eccf4978ddf30b3774910791df802d87241936f40ba4175874f486c335e765.png%5C%22" alt='\"A' promo sign source: midjourney width='\"1024\"' height='\"1024\"'>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>After printing and laminating it, I headed back to the restaurant with Tommy in tow. The place was busy, packed with brunch-goers and families. Perfect.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>Tommy tugged at my sleeve. \u201cWhy are we here again, Mama?\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>\u201cWe\u2019re just fixing something, sweetheart.\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>I walked right up to their front window, acting casual, and stuck my sign up next to their real posters. It blended in so seamlessly you\u2019d swear it belonged there. I stepped back, grinning to myself.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>It didn\u2019t take long before things got wild.\n\n</p><div>\n<div class='\"Qh\"'>\n<div class='\"Sh\"'>\n<div class='\"je\"'><picture><source srcset='\"https:\/\/imgproxy.amomama.com\/icm7FWEnF1YyGl8QBz1tnuKxuIg0trcOS9f5wiawz_o\/rs:fill:375:0:1\/g:no\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vMWE5Mzk3MTIxNGQ4NGM0OTdlNzU0YWUzNTRiNmZmN2NlZDdlYWY1ZjhkZmFlMTEzNDU2NzRlNTExMjEyODQ0Yy5wbmc_d2lkdGg9MTAyNCZoZWlnaHQ9MTAyNA.jpg' type='\"image\/jpeg\"' sizes='\"(max-width:'></source><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"fe' th src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/cdn.amomama.com%5C/1a93971214d84c497e754ae354b6ff7ced7eaf5f8dfae11345674e511212844c.png%5C%22" alt='\"Restaurant' filled with kids source: midjourney width='\"1024\"' height='\"1024\"'>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>Families started pouring in, kids in tow, all buzzing about the \u201c20% off family discount.\u201d I sat across the street with Tommy, sipping on an iced coffee, watching the chaos unfold like it was a show I\u2019d paid for.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>One mom with three kids, a stroller, and an exhausted look pushed open the door. \u201cWe\u2019d like to use the family discount,\u201d she said to the hostess, who was already looking frazzled.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>\u201cUh\u2026 w-what?\u201d The hostess glanced nervously at the manager, who had just rushed out from the back. \u201cThere\u2019s no discount for families\u2026\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<div class='\"Qh\"'>\n<div class='\"Sh\"'>\n<div class='\"je\"'><picture><source srcset='\"https:\/\/imgproxy.amomama.com\/_b3ufx4GaWNfz5Zv3hWsi7FQUws-n0Tt3DWnCjv7Ifk\/rs:fill:375:0:1\/g:no\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vZWZiYWRhNWMzNDJjMDA4M2Y2YWQ4MTZiOWE4MTQ3MmJlZDMxYzVlOWNhZTFmMzUyNzhhMDE5MjMwNDFlYjM1YS5wbmc_d2lkdGg9MTAyNCZoZWlnaHQ9MTAyNA.jpg' type='\"image\/jpeg\"' sizes='\"(max-width:'></source><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"fe' th src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/cdn.amomama.com%5C/efbada5c342c0083f6ad816b9a81472bed31c5e9cae1f35278a01923041eb35a.png%5C%22" alt='\"A' promo sign source: midjourney width='\"1024\"' height='\"1024\"'>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>The mom looked insulted. \u201cExcuse me? There\u2019s a sign right there in your window that says there\u00a0<i class='\"Xf\"'>is.\u201d\n\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>The manager\u2019s face was turning a lovely shade of red as he looked at the sign, then back at the growing line of families now reading it, chatting amongst themselves, expecting a deal.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>\u201cI\u2026 I don\u2019t know how that got there, but it\u2019s not real. I\u2019m sorry,\u201d the manager stammered.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>\u201cBut it\u2019s in your window!\u201d another parent chimed in from behind. \u201cYou can\u2019t just put up a sign and not honor it! That\u2019s false advertising!\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<div class='\"Qh\"'>\n<div class='\"Sh\"'>\n<div class='\"je\"'><picture><source srcset='\"https:\/\/imgproxy.amomama.com\/OzysM_5rjxcVp7xWB6aieVd3GmSu59seCdaQ393Ix1U\/rs:fill:375:0:1\/g:no\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vOTE1ZmUyNzhlZjMzYjE2ZmFmNGY2NTFhZTUxNDg4ZjkzZDdiMDE4NGJmNTgzZTk0YjAyMTI4MDI1OTRjMTVlNi5wbmc_d2lkdGg9MTAyNCZoZWlnaHQ9MTAyNA.jpg' type='\"image\/jpeg\"' sizes='\"(max-width:'></source><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"fe' th src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/cdn.amomama.com%5C/915fe278ef33b16faf4f651ae51488f93d7b0184bf583e94b0212802594c15e6.png%5C%22" alt='\"Kids' at a fancy restaurant source: midjourney width='\"1024\"' height='\"1024\"'>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>The line was getting longer, and the complaints were louder. One dad, holding his toddler in one arm and an infant in the other, shouted, \u201cSo what, are you canceling the promotion now? This is ridiculous! We came here just for that!\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>The manager waved his arms, trying to calm everyone down. \u201cThere is no promotion! I swear! This is a mistake!\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>Behind him, the waitstaff were scrambling to keep up. Kids were running around, crayons were scattered on tables, and fries flying through the air. It was beautiful, really\u2014exactly what that place deserved.\n\n</p><div>\n<div class='\"adv\"'>\n\n<div>\n<div class='\"Qh\"'>\n<div class='\"Sh\"'>\n<div class='\"je\"'><picture><source srcset='\"https:\/\/imgproxy.amomama.com\/M2QSZHYcdnTLdENUSI9JIu6PjeNUk9LiQPrUWqN5NQo\/rs:fill:375:0:1\/g:no\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vZTJiZjNmYjAyMTQ2NDA3MjEzNjI1NGRhMzViZmM4MzYxMDE1MWQ2OTgyMjgyY2NhZWY0ZDlhY2Y0NmFjN2RiOS5wbmc_d2lkdGg9MTAyNCZoZWlnaHQ9MTAyNA.jpg' type='\"image\/jpeg\"' sizes='\"(max-width:'></source><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"fe' th src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/cdn.amomama.com%5C/e2bf3fb021464072136254da35bfc83610151d6982282ccaef4d9acf46ac7db9.png%5C%22" alt='\"French' fries scattered on the floor source: midjourney width='\"1024\"' height='\"1024\"'>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>Another dad, arms crossed, stepped forward. \u201cSo, you\u2019re telling me you won\u2019t honor the discount? That\u2019s bad business, man. You\u2019ve got a room full of families here expecting a deal!\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>The manager looked like he was about to explode. \u201cLook, I don\u2019t know who put that sign up, but we\u2026..\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>\u201cThen who did?\u201d a mom cut him off, glaring. \u201cBecause you\u2019re making yourselves look terrible right now.\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>I couldn\u2019t hold back a chuckle as I watched from my seat. Tommy noticed and smiled, not fully understanding why I was so amused. \u201cIs this part of the plan, Mama?\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<div class='\"Qh\"'>\n<div class='\"Sh\"'>\n<div class='\"je\"'><picture><source srcset='\"https:\/\/imgproxy.amomama.com\/QT8qQPwo1TZOq-ByspnKXQHX7d8LT452YHdbqAnJBqo\/rs:fill:375:0:1\/g:no\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vMjk5ODRkZDU0Yjk3ZTZkYTEyZGFmM2Q4Y2UzNDhkMDdmM2JmZWEzMzFkMDlmMzFiYmNjZWY0MmY4Y2I4YWU3ZC5wbmc_d2lkdGg9MTAyNCZoZWlnaHQ9MTAyNA.jpg' type='\"image\/jpeg\"' sizes='\"(max-width:'></source><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"fe' th src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/cdn.amomama.com%5C/29984dd54b97e6da12daf3d8ce348d07f3bfea331d09f31bbccef42f8cb8ae7d.png%5C%22" alt='\"Mother' and son inside a restaurant source: midjourney width='\"1024\"' height='\"1024\"'>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>I winked at him. \u201cOh yeah, baby. This is the fun part.\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>Hours passed, and more families kept coming. By mid-afternoon, the place was packed, with noisy kids everywhere, and parents demanding the discount. The waitstaff couldn\u2019t keep up, and the manager was practically pulling his hair out.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>The best part? Word spread like wildfire, everyone was talking about this \u201cfamily-friendly spot\u201d that clearly couldn\u2019t stand children.\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>By late afternoon, the manager stormed out, marched right to the window, and ripped down my sign. But it was too late. The damage was done.\n\n</p><div>\n<div class='\"Qh\"'>\n<div class='\"Sh\"'>\n<div class='\"je\"'><picture><source srcset='\"https:\/\/imgproxy.amomama.com\/3JbDhMAnVXtbud4CIML-5me9ZqFFBHSl1NfoCaf2dUo\/rs:fill:375:0:1\/g:no\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vOTA0YzI3ZjU2OWI4OWIwMjJhZDZlNmMzMDZmODkwMjkxMDZlMmU4MzAzYjkwMWEwMzExNjJmZTAzYTNhMmU4ZC5wbmc_d2lkdGg9MTAyNCZoZWlnaHQ9OTQ4.jpg' type='\"image\/jpeg\"' sizes='\"(max-width:'></source><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"fe' th src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/cdn.amomama.com%5C/904c27f569b89b022ad6e6c306f89029106e2e8303b901a031162fe03a3a2e8d.png%5C%22" alt='\"Flocked' restaurant source: midjourney width='\"1024\"' height='\"948\"'>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>Parents kept coming for weeks, asking about the family discount. Yelp reviews were littered with complaints, people confused and furious about the so-called promotion. The restaurant became a joke, known as the \u201cfamily-friendly place that didn\u2019t want kids.\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>A few weeks later, I passed by the restaurant again, and it was a ghost town. The tables that were once filled with families now sat empty, and the \u201cUpscale Dining\u201d sign that hung proudly before had been replaced with a desperate-looking \u201cFamily Specials \u2013 Kids Eat Free!\u201d banner.\n\n</p><div>\n<div class='\"Qh\"'>\n<div class='\"Sh\"'>\n<div class='\"je\"'><picture><source srcset='\"https:\/\/imgproxy.amomama.com\/uTBld6xC8WsjcCUHtl-v4YwcKfiaQyfYxkxwVMfkg1I\/rs:fill:375:0:1\/g:no\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vZWFjYjJhMTU1NDk0NGMxNjc2NTAxNTQ5NmYzZDUxYmNkYzNhMGZkYzBmZDg0YzQ0NThmM2UxNGRlYzE4ZWQ3Ny5wbmc_d2lkdGg9MTAyNCZoZWlnaHQ9MTAyNA.jpg' type='\"image\/jpeg\"' sizes='\"(max-width:'></source><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"fe' th src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/cdn.amomama.com%5C/eacb2a1554944c16765015496f3d51bcdc3a0fdc0fd84c4458f3e14dec18ed77.png%5C%22" alt='\"Empty' restaurant with the sign eat free source: midjourney width='\"1024\"' height='\"1024\"'>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>I couldn\u2019t help but smile as I walked past. They\u2019d finally learned their lesson: don\u2019t mess with parents, especially single moms. Tommy, holding my hand, looked up at the empty restaurant. \u201cMama, are we ever gonna eat there again?\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>I laughed softly, shaking my head. \u201cNo, baby. They\u2019re not ready for us.\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>Tommy looked back at the empty tables, then up at me with wide eyes. \u201cWhy not, Mama?\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<div class='\"adv\"'>\n\n<div>\n<div class='\"Qh\"'>\n<div class='\"Sh\"'>\n<div class='\"je\"'><picture><source srcset='\"https:\/\/imgproxy.amomama.com\/UW9BD0YujRLE8M7FPU1LLVZkqa9V4XEDC3lYWcLk-hY\/rs:fill:375:0:1\/g:no\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vODBjNWVmODc2NWJhMDg1OTM0ZTkwN2M2MWU5MDdjOWE3Y2Y3MzRhMDY5ODE3NzAyZGE2YTNmZTNkYTllY2UwNy5wbmc_d2lkdGg9MTAyNCZoZWlnaHQ9MTAyNA.jpg' type='\"image\/jpeg\"' sizes='\"(max-width:'></source><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"fe' th src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/cdn.amomama.com%5C/80c5ef8765ba085934e907c61e907c9a7cf734a069817702da6a3fe3da9ece07.png%5C%22" alt='\"Mother' and son walking outside an empty restaurant source: midjourney width='\"1024\"' height='\"1024\"'>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>I squeezed his hand and leaned down to his level, a smirk tugging at my lips. \u201cBecause, sweetheart, some places just don\u2019t know how to handle a little bit of fun.\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>Tommy tugged at my hand. \u201cWhat\u2019s next, Mama?\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<p class='\"Yf\"'>I smiled. \u201cAnything we want, kiddo. Anything we want.\u201d\n\n</p><div>\n<div class='\"Qh\"'>\n<div class='\"Sh\"'>\n<div class='\"je\"'><picture><source srcset='\"https:\/\/imgproxy.amomama.com\/QR1FLzpagev-ZSClGl07gEoLHuk9TgDl5BkN3L3gx98\/rs:fill:375:0:1\/g:no\/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uYW1vbWFtYS5jb20vOTQ0YjlkNzNiMTEzNDZjNDNmMTgzMGM0YWJlYzczNzYzZTgyN2EzYTg0ZGVlYWFmMDRjMGJmNGEwM2FlZTE1ZC5wbmc_d2lkdGg9MTAyNCZoZWlnaHQ9MTAyNA.jpg' type='\"image\/jpeg\"' sizes='\"(max-width:'></source><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"fe' th src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/cdn.amomama.com%5C/944b9d73b11346c43f1830c4abec73763e827a3a84deeaaf04c0bf4a03aee15d.png%5C%22" alt='\"Mother' and son walking outside an empty restaurant source: midjourney width='\"1024\"' height='\"1024\"'>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When I treated myself and my son to a meal at a fancy restaurant, the last thing I expected was to be slapped with a fine for simply being a mom. So, I did what any outraged parent would do: I fought back, but creatively. I\u2019ve never been one to complain, but what happened yesterday [&hellip;]\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":128,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-127","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=127"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":129,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127\/revisions\/129"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/128"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=127"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=127"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=127"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}</p></picture></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></picture></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></picture></div></div></div></div></div></div></picture></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></picture></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></picture></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></picture></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></i></p></div></picture></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></picture></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></picture></div></div></div></div></div></div></picture></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></picture></div></div></div></div></div></div></picture></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></picture></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></picture></div></div></div></div></div></div></picture></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></picture></div></div></div></div></div></div></header>