“sure, she has a right to dine out”
When our kids were growing, we selected places to eat based in part on how the kids were able to behave. A young child isn’t going to act like an older child, and we had no business ruining someone else’s dining experience just because.
So when they were very young, take out. As they got older, McDonalds. Eventually, Olive Garden. Good steak houses had to wait until they were in their teens. I had a legal right to eat out with kids, but not always a moral right to eat at an expensive place where small kids could ruin things for other diners paying $$$$.
...and THAT is how it’s done. Start them with Happy Meals, teaching them there is a time to play (the play area) but don’t let them eat and play interchangeably. If they start that way, they will think that restaurant means both eating and playing
As they grow, take them to restaurants that have bigger people food that is casual but no place to play. Once that is firmly established their ready for prime time. It works. You don’t take Scooter to see JFK and expect him to sit there for 4 hours, mesmerized.
ditto. buy i only had one... but i empathize with the parents of crying children or special needs and my heart goes out to them...
nothing comes between me and my steak, so noises and other patrons do not bother me.