Parenting in today’s world can be a challenging task, especially when faced with external opinions from family members and even strangers online. Jordan Driskell, a 31-year-old father, found himself in this predicament. He is raising five quintuplets who are now five years old, and as you can imagine, it’s quite a handful.
At this age, children are naturally inquisitive and love to explore. To handle his energetic quintuplets when they are out in public, Driskell came up with an innovative solution – child-sized leashes. These leashes allow the kids to roam and discover their surroundings while keeping them safe and within sight.
Driskell previously used a large 6-seat stroller for his family outings, but it soon became tiring for both the kids and himself. The stroller was also cumbersome to transport. The leashes provided a practical and effective way for Driskell to manage his children while still allowing them the freedom to explore.
However, when Driskell shared a video of their family trip to the aquarium, he faced an onslaught of criticism. The video of the kids on leashes quickly went viral, attracting over 3 million views and hundreds of negative comments. Many people argued that children should not be leashed because they are not animals. Some even suggested that Driskell should have trained his children better or not have had so many kids if he couldn’t handle the pressure.
In response to the criticism, Dr. Deborah Gilboa, a parenting and adolescent development expert, defended the use of leashes. She emphasized that using a leash does not make a child feel like an animal. In fact, it can be a valuable tool for controlling younger children or those with neurological differences in public settings. However, Dr. Gilboa acknowledged that by the ages of eight or nine, neurotypical children should have developed listening skills and verbal communication, making leashes unnecessary.
It’s important to remember that parents should have the freedom to choose their own parenting methods without facing unnecessary judgment from society. Each child and family is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. So, what do you think about children on leashes in public? Let us know in the comments below and share this article with friends and family to get their perspective too!
