Raising children today comes with many challenges. Parents don’t just get advice from family but also hear opinions from strangers online about their parenting choices.
Jordan Driskell, a 31-year-old father, has five children—quintuplets who are all five years old. Managing five kids of the same age is not easy, especially at a stage when they are curious and want to explore.
To keep them safe, Driskell came up with a solution. He bought child leashes to help control them in public places.
Before this, the family used a six-seat stroller, but it quickly became a hassle. The kids didn’t like sitting in it, and carrying it around was inconvenient. The leashes gave them the freedom to walk while staying close to their parents.
Driskell shared a video of the family visiting an aquarium, where the kids were on leashes. The video went viral, getting over 3 million views, but not everyone approved.
Some people were critical. “Kids aren’t animals, so why leash them?” one person asked. Another commented, “If parenting is too hard, maybe don’t have so many kids.”
Some even suggested a different approach. “Just teach them not to run away,” one person wrote. “They should learn to listen instead of being controlled like this.”
However, parenting expert Dr. Deborah Gilboa had a different view. She said using a leash does not make a child feel like an animal. If the only alternative is staying home, then a leash is a much better option.
Dr. Gilboa explained that leashes can be helpful for younger children or those who have different developmental needs. However, by age eight or nine, kids should be able to listen without needing a leash.
By that age, parents should be able to guide their children through words rather than physical tools.
At the end of the day, parents should be allowed to raise their kids in a way that works best for them—without unnecessary judgment from others.
