I for one second the OP.
There should be leeway for sole adults travelling with small children, at the discretion of the lounge dragon, full stop.

I live in Asia and have many stories of strange rules you only discover AFTER the facts: I booked 12 ballet lessons for my 6 year youg, they printed 12 dates on a membership card, I mentioned she would not attend two dates because we would be on holiday, no problem sir, until after the last lesson where they tell you you lost two session being absent, 30 minutes of discussion will get you nowhere. I should have refused the membership card to begin with.
That's how you learn to live here.