Raising children in today’s world can be a challenging task. Not only do young parents have to deal with opinions from family members, but they also have to face criticisms from strangers on the internet regarding their parenting methods.

Meet Jordan Driskell, a 31-year-old father of five quintuplets, all of whom are 5 years old. As you can imagine, taking care of five children who are the same age can be quite overwhelming. At this age, children are naturally curious and love to explore their surroundings.

In order to tackle this challenge, Jordan decided to find an innovative solution. He bought leashes specifically designed for children to ensure he could have better control over his energetic little ones when they are out in public together.

Previously, the family used a 6-seat stroller, but it quickly became tiresome as the kids would get bothered and uncomfortable inside it. Moreover, the stroller was inconvenient to take anywhere.

The use of leashes allows the children to wander and explore while ensuring their safety and preventing them from getting out of their father’s sight or control.

Recently, Jordan posted a video of their family outing to the aquarium, which unexpectedly attracted a lot of negative feedback towards the parents. The video showing the children on leashes went viral, amassing over 3 million views. Many people criticized the parents, arguing that children are not animals and should not be treated as such.

Some had the audacity to comment, “If you can’t handle the pressure, then why did you have so many kids?” Others offered condescending advice, stating, “Why don’t you just properly train your children and explain to them the risks of running away?”

However, Dr. Deborah Gilboa, an expert in parenting and adolescent development, holds a different perspective. She believes that using a leash does not make a child feel like an animal. In fact, she argues that if the alternative is to stay at home, then using a leash is a far better option.

According to Dr. Gilboa, leashes can be a valuable tool to control younger children or those with neurodiverse needs in a public setting. However, she cautions that if a neurotypical child does not learn to listen and follow instructions by the age of eight or nine, relying solely on a leash might not be advisable. By that age, parents should focus on effective verbal communication with their children rather than depending on tools like leashes.

Parents should have the freedom to choose their own parenting methods without facing unnecessary judgment from society. What do you think about children using leashes in public? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. And don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family to get their perspective as well!