That's really weird. Both parents are required in court. We've always read/heard just the opposite - only one parent required for referral visit, but both for court. One could leave after court, though.
We drank bottled water and had no problems with it or any food.
I'd think long and hard before taking a 3-year-old. There are long stretches of "nothing," or just waiting around. Hotel rooms get cramped. Plus restaurants are not kid-friendly.
Maybe you have the exceptionally well-behaved three-year-old but I wouldn't have taken any of our older three girls at age three.
Becky
The Woodworth Family in Beautiful San Antonio TX