Parenting is challenging enough without constant criticism from others. These days, parents often find themselves judged not only by family and friends but also by strangers online who are quick to share their opinions about how children should be raised.
For 31-year-old father Jordan Driskell, raising five 5-year-old quintuplets comes with unique challenges. As anyone can imagine, keeping track of five energetic children of the same age can be overwhelming—especially when they’re naturally curious and eager to explore the world around them.
To help keep his children safe in crowded public places, Driskell came up with a practical solution: child safety harnesses, commonly known as leashes. The harnesses allow his children the freedom to walk, explore, and enjoy outings while ensuring they remain close and safe.
Before using the harnesses, the family relied on a six-seat stroller. However, the children quickly became unhappy sitting in it, and transporting such a large stroller everywhere became increasingly difficult and inconvenient.
Driskell later shared a video from a family trip to an aquarium, showing his children wearing the harnesses. The clip quickly went viral, attracting more than 3 million views and sparking heated debate online.
Many critics argued that children should not be treated like animals. Others questioned the parents’ decision to have so many children, while some suggested the kids simply needed better discipline and training.
However, not everyone agreed with the criticism.
Dr. Deborah Gilboa, a parenting and adolescent development expert, defended the use of child harnesses. She explained that using a leash does not make a child feel like an animal and that, if the alternative is keeping children at home, a harness is often the better option.
According to Dr. Gilboa, safety harnesses can be especially useful for younger children and neurodiverse children in busy public environments. She noted, however, that as children grow older, parents should gradually rely more on verbal communication and listening skills rather than physical safety tools.
By the time children reach eight or nine years old, she believes parents should generally be able to manage them through communication rather than harnesses.
The debate continues, but many believe parents should have the freedom to make reasonable decisions that work best for their families without facing unnecessary judgment from others.
What are your thoughts on children wearing safety leashes in public? Let us know in the comments and share this story with your friends and family to hear their opinions as well.