When I took my son and myself out for a meal at a fancy restaurant, the last thing I thought would happen was getting hit with a fee just for being a mom. So, like any upset parent would do, I decided to fight back in a creative way.
I’m not usually one to complain, but what went down yesterday at this “upscale” place? It was beyond rude. Imagine this—I’m a single mom who works really hard. So when I wanted to treat myself and my 5-year-old son, Tommy, to something nice, I thought it was well-deserved.
What I didn’t realize was that this restaurant had some hidden rule… apparently they charge moms just for being moms. We walked into the fancy spot and right away the hostess gave me that look—the “Oh great, another mom with her kid” look. But whatever; I’ve seen it before.
“Hi there! Table for two?” I asked nicely.
“Sure,” she replied but her tone felt like she said “Good luck with that.”
We sat down and Tommy was already bouncing in his seat staring wide-eyed at the chandeliers as if we were in some magical land. Everything is exciting when you’re five! We ordered our food.
I got him chicken nuggets and fries—something safe—and he kept busy trying to color on the kid’s menu with those awful crayons that barely work. Halfway through coloring he tossed one across the table.
“Tommy,” I whispered firmly trying to get him under control.
“Sorry Mama,” he said grinning which made it hard not to smile back!
A few fries later things were getting slightly wild but nothing too crazy since it wasn’t even crowded there. Still keeping calm hoping no one noticed too much until Tommy stood up looking like he had an idea brewing in his head.
“Stay seated,” I warned him but of course five-year-olds don’t listen well!
He started running around our table giggling while his shoes tapped on the floor tiles making noise everywhere! A couple of waiters glanced over looking annoyed while the hostess? Oh yeah—she was definitely watching us closely now!
“Sit down buddy!” But before I could grab him his feet slipped out from under him on that slippery floor sending him tumbling down!
He got up okay though; “You alright baby?”
“Yeah…” he mumbled brushing himself off while my heart raced because how unsafe could their floor be? Not my fault they couldn’t keep their place safe for kids!
After calming Tommy down we finished eating and paid without thinking twice about it—I just wanted home where cartoons awaited us so badly after such chaos!
Later that night going through receipts trying figure out how dinner cost so much when something caught my eye: buried beneath “Administrative Fee” & “Waiter Tip” was something infuriating: Parenting Fee!!
I blinked staring at it as if willing it away by sheer willpower! A fee? For what exactly? For bringing my child into their precious establishment or not having him sit still like some robot?
“You’ve gotta be kidding me!”
Tommy looked up from playing nearby asking “What Mama?”
“Oh nothing sweetie.” Trying hard not show how mad inside because they charged me simply because they didn’t approve of how handled MY own child! The nerve of them made me determined not let this go unnoticed!!
Next morning still fuming an idea struck me—if they’re gonna fine parents then I’ll give them something worth thinking about!! Grabbed laptop & designed sign—a bright family-friendly sign mimicking their promotions perfectly:
“This Café Welcomes All Kids! Families with 3 Kids or More – Get 20% Off Your Bill!” Added cute clip art of smiling kids holding balloons—it looked official enough you’d never guess otherwise!!
After printing & laminating headed back there with Tommy tagging along excitedly asking why we were returning again?
“We’re fixing something honey.”
Walked right up front window acting casual sticking sign next real posters blending seamlessly together stepping back feeling proud of myself!
Things escalated quickly after families began pouring in all buzzing about new discount offer!! Sat across street sipping iced coffee watching chaos unfold like live entertainment I’d paid good money for!!
One mom came pushing stroller full three kids looking exhausted saying “We’d love use family discount!”
The hostess looked confused glancing nervously towards manager rushing out from kitchen saying “Uh… w-what?”
“There’s no discount families…”
Mom seemed shocked replying angrily: “Excuse me?! There’s sign right here says otherwise!”
Manager turned red seeing growing line behind her reading same thing expecting deal now too…
“I…I don’t know how got there but it’s fake sorry,” stammered manager clearly panicking now as complaints grew louder around them…
Another dad holding toddler shouted angrily: “So are you canceling promotion?! This is ridiculous!”
Manager flailed arms trying calm everyone shouting there’s NO promotion whatsoever claiming mistake happened here…
Behind them waitstaff struggled keep order amidst running children crayons flying everywhere—it truly felt poetic witnessing what deserved happening inside those walls…
Hours passed more families kept arriving till mid-afternoon packed full noisy kids demanding discounts while staff overwhelmed struggling manage situation effectively…
By late afternoon manager stormed outside ripping down MY glorious creation—but damage done already folks knew about supposed family-friendly spot which clearly hated children!!!
Weeks later passing by again saw ghost town tables empty where once filled laughter replaced desperate banner reading “Family Specials – Kids Eat Free!” instead…
Couldn’t help smiling walking past knowing lesson learned: Don’t mess with parents especially single moms!!! Holding hand tight Tommy asked curiously if we’d ever eat there again?
“No baby—they’re NOT ready us yet.”
Looking back empty tables wide-eyed wondering why exactly… squeezed hand leaning closer smirking softly saying: “Because sweetheart some places just can handle little fun.”
“What’s next Mama?” He tugged eagerly wanting more adventures ahead—
Smiling brightly replied confidently: “Anything want kiddo anything want.”
