I think the problem goes much, much deeper than what's being assumed on this thread. My husband and I have been married 23 years and have 5 kids, ages 6 thru 16. They are all well behaved in public, we have gotten many compliments on their behavior, from strangers. I COULD NOT have managed this without my husband. I am a pushover, he is a strong disciplinarian. Children need 2 parents, people. Stop blaming the children, it ain't their fault.
Good for you - you and your husband need the positive reinforcement. I was in a restaurant a few years ago, there were a couple of monster kids running around, screaming, bothering other diners. Of course the parents did nothing. There was another booth with a young couple with 2 kids just about the same age. These kids were very well behaved. I made a point of stopping at their table and complimenting the kids and their parents. I know it's sometimes hard to keep your kids in line - especially when they see other kids acting like cartoon characters.
One of the funniest things I ever heard was in a restaurant in Greektown in Detroit. In a fairly nice (and pricey) restaurant there was a child that was running from table to table, grabbing things, screaming her head off - the typical monster child stuff. Of course, the parents were doing nothing. The manager had already spoken to the people. A woman patron finally stood up, walked over to the table and said, "If you don't shut that kid up, I'm going to pick her up and throw her through that window. And you'll thank me for it because that child is POSSESSED!"
The entire restaurant broke into laughter and applause.
You are right Tuffy.....It is not the children's fault. There used to be a time when children were seen and not heard...especially out in public.
I have a feeling many of these children are spoiled brats and I say good for the eatery!