Toccoa Riverside Restaurant, a charming North Georgia establishment located near Blue Ridge, has recently ignited a lively online discussion by implementing a policy that charges parents for their children’s disruptive behavior. This unique approach to maintaining order has sparked a flurry of debate, with opinions divided on the ethics of the so-called “parenting fine.”

The debate began when a disgruntled customer took to Reddit to share their experience, claiming that the owner had added a $50 charge to their bill due to their children’s behavior. This statement quickly gained attention and prompted the restaurant’s owner, Tim Richter, to clarify the situation.

Richter explained that while the restaurant did introduce a surcharge during the COVID-19 pandemic to cover additional costs, they have never actually fined a customer for their children’s behavior. He did recount one incident involving a family with nine particularly disruptive children, where a warning was issued but no fine was imposed.

Richter emphasized that the intention behind the policy is to promote responsible parenting, stating, “We want parents to be parents.” However, public reactions to the policy have been mixed. While some, like Laura Spillman, find the idea of charging for children’s behavior outrageous, stating, “Kids are cute; you shouldn’t charge for that,” others, like Anne Cox, see it as a reminder for parents to teach their children etiquette and consider others around them.

One concerned diner, Federico Gambineri, who visited with his toddler, expressed his unease with the policy, saying, “If I were charged, I would be unhappy and probably not recommend the place.” On the other hand, regular patron Jack Schneider offered a more nuanced view, acknowledging that everyone has been near a table where they thought, “Do something about that kid.” However, Schneider ultimately places the responsibility on the parents.