“... feel like we’re the only parents who ever discipline their children”.
Right there with you, Mountainbunny. My children aren’t perfect but they have always behaved in a restaurant. We have received many compliments over the years because people were amazed at just how good they acted. Now, no one saw or heard the “talk” in the car before going in. It was clear cut instructions and expectations of behavior. NO loud talking, say please/thank you, eat like a lady or gentleman, no running, standing, walking around etc, etc, etc. They knew what was expected of them going in. I have seen wild hooligan children doing all sorts of stuff... dumping plates of spaghetti, throwing food, screaming, temper tantrums. To be honest, there have been other people’s kids that ruined our meal. If a private owner of a restaurant wants a ban on kids, it is his or her right IMHO
Welcome to the club. My wife and I took our grandsons (ages 3 and 4) out to eat last week. As we were leaving the couple sitting behind us commented to me how well-behaved our grandsons were. All I could say was “thank you... please don’t come to our house in 30 minutes, they don’t act this way at home”. :)