Raising children these days is no easy task. Parents not only deal with advice from family but also face comments from strangers on the internet about their parenting methods.
Meet Jordan Driskell, a young father of 5-year-old quintuplets. As you can imagine, keeping up with five children of the same age is quite challenging, especially when they are at an age where curiosity runs high.
Jordan, who is 31 years old, came up with a creative solution to manage his energetic kids in public. He decided to use child leashes to keep an eye on them while they’re out and about.
Previously, the Driskell family used a 6-seat stroller, but it quickly became impractical. The kids would get restless, and maneuvering the large stroller around was a hassle.
The leashes allow the children to explore their surroundings safely while keeping them close to their dad.
Jordan shared a video of their family outing to an aquarium, and it sparked a lot of negative feedback. The video, showing the quintuplets on leashes, went viral with over 3 million views. Many people criticized the parents, comparing the children to animals and questioning their parenting choices.
Some commenters went as far as saying, “If you can’t handle the pressure, don’t have so many kids.” Others suggested, “Can’t you just properly train your children?”
However, Dr. Deborah Gilboa, an expert in parenting and adolescent development, offered a different perspective. She believes that using a leash won’t make a child feel like an animal and is a practical choice if the alternative is staying home.
Dr. Gilboa explained that leashes can be useful for young or neuro-diverse children in public settings. However, she cautioned that if a neurotypical child still needs a leash by the age of eight or nine, it could indicate a problem with their listening skills. By that age, parents should be communicating effectively with their children without relying on tools like leashes.
Parents should have the freedom to choose their parenting methods without facing unnecessary judgment from society.
What do you think about children on leashes in public? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Feel free to discuss this with friends and family to hear their opinions as well!
