Raising kids is tough enough without the constant opinions from family, friends, or even strangers online. Every choice you make seems to invite judgment, and sometimes it feels like you can’t win.
Take Jordan Driskell, for example. He’s a 31-year-old dad to five-year-old quintuplets. Yes, you read that right—five kids, all the same age! Managing a crew of little ones is no easy feat, especially when they’re curious and constantly exploring their world.
To keep things under control, Jordan came up with a creative solution: child leashes. It might sound surprising, but it made sense for his family. They’d previously used a six-seat stroller, but it became uncomfortable and impractical as the kids grew. The leashes allowed the children to roam freely without Jordan losing track of them.
But here’s where things got heated. When Jordan shared a video of his family outing to the aquarium, it went viral—fast. With over 3 million views, the video sparked a flood of negative comments. People accused him and his wife of treating their children like animals. Some even suggested that if they couldn’t handle five kids, maybe they shouldn’t have had them. Others offered advice, criticizing the way they parented.
However, Dr. Deborah Gilboa, a parenting expert, had a different view. She pointed out that using a leash doesn’t turn kids into animals—it’s a safer option than staying home all the time. For younger or neurodiverse children, leashes can be a lifesaver in public places. Of course, she notes that by the age of eight or nine, kids should ideally be able to walk without a leash and respond to their parents’ verbal cues.
At the end of the day, parents should be free to raise their kids in the way that works best for them—without facing judgment from the peanut gallery.
So, what do you think? Are leashes a helpful tool for parenting, or are they crossing the line? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and share this with friends and family to get their take too!
