They are humans, not DOGS’: Father-of-five sparks furious debate after using a ‘LEASH’ to take his five-year-old quintuplets for a walk – but he insists it allows them to ‘do fun stuff without being stressed’. Full Story and video in the comments 👇
Nurturing children in today’s world is a challenge in itself. Young parents not only contend with the advice of family members but also face unsolicited comments from strangers on the internet critiquing their parenting choices.
Enter Jordan Driskell, a young father of quintuplets, all five of whom are now 5 years old. Managing a brood of five children of the same age is undeniably demanding, particularly at this stage when each child is bursting with curiosity and eager to explore the world.
At 31 years old, dad Jordan Driskell sought a creative solution to his challenge. He purchased child leashes to manage his energetic little ones during family outings.
Previously, Driskell used a 6-seat stroller for their large family. However, it quickly became impractical as the children felt constrained inside, and it was cumbersome to transport anywhere. Using the leashes allows the kids to explore their surroundings while keeping them safely tethered to their dad.
Driskell’s video of their aquarium visit sparked controversy, drawing over 3 million views and numerous negative comments criticizing the use of leashes on children. Some argued that children shouldn’t be treated like animals, while others questioned the parenting choices, suggesting that having fewer kids would alleviate the pressure.
Dr. Deborah Gilboa, an expert in parenting and adolescent development, offered a contrasting viewpoint. She believes that using a leash doesn’t equate to treating a child like an animal. Instead, it’s a practical tool for managing younger or neuro-diverse children in public spaces. However, she cautions that by ages eight or nine, neurotypical children should have developed sufficient listening skills, rendering leashes unnecessary. At this point, parents should rely more on verbal communication to guide their children.
Parents deserve the autonomy to raise their children according to their own values and circumstances, free from undue societal scrutiny.
What are your thoughts on using child leashes in public? We’d love to hear your perspective in the comments section. Feel free to share this article with your friends and family to gather their insights too!
