Dad gets massively shamed for putting leashes on his 5-year-old quintuplets

Raising children today can be challenging. Young parents face opinions not only from family members but also from strangers on the internet critiquing their parenting methods.

Jordan Driskell is a father of five quintuplets, all five years old. Caring for five children of the same age is demanding, especially when they’re at an age where curiosity and exploration are at their peak.

To manage his energetic children in public, 31-year-old Driskell came up with a creative solution: child leashes. Previously, the family used a six-seat stroller, but it quickly became impractical as the kids disliked being confined and it was cumbersome to maneuver.

Using leashes allows the children to explore their surroundings safely while Driskell maintains control. However, a video he posted of a family outing to the aquarium, featuring the kids on leashes, sparked significant backlash. The video went viral, amassing over 3 million views and attracting numerous negative comments. Critics argued that children are not animals and should not be leashed. Some harshly suggested, “If you can’t handle the pressure, don’t have so many kids,” while others advised, “Can’t you just properly train your children?”

Contrary to these opinions, Dr. Deborah Gilboa, a parenting and adolescent development expert, supports the use of leashes. She believes that a leash does not make a child feel like an animal and that it’s a practical tool for managing young or neuro-diverse children in public. However, she advises that neurotypical children should ideally transition away from leashes by the age of eight or nine, by which time they should have developed adequate listening skills.

Ultimately, parents should have the freedom to raise their children without facing unnecessary judgment from society.

What are your thoughts on children using leashes in public? Share your opinions in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with friends and family to see what they think!