Many new problems have come up since the last time you raised a child. Young parents get both helpful tips from family and mean comments from people they don’t know online. Jordan Driskell, who is 31 years old and has five sets of five children, knows this all too well.
It can be hard to take care of five curious 5-year-olds. Driskell used a unique method to keep them safe and easy to control in public: kid leashes. These let his kids play and explore while keeping them safe and in view.
The family used to have a stroller with six seats, but it was too heavy and squished the kids. The leashes are a good option because they let the kids run around while Driskell stays in charge.
But a film of the family’s trip to the aquarium caused a lot of negative reactions. There were hundreds of comments that were against leashes, saying that it was like treating kids like animals. The video has over 3 million views. Some critics asked why the Driskells had so many kids, while others gave them tips on how to discipline their kids without being asked.
A parenting expert, Dr. Deborah Gilboa, doesn’t agree. She thinks leashes are helpful for younger or neurodiverse kids when they’re out in public because they keep them safe without making them look like animals.
The fuss brings up important issues about parental rights and how society judges people. Should parents be able to make decisions without worry about being criticized, or do we need to speak out?
Driskell’s story shows how hard it can be to raise several young children and how creative solutions are needed. Different people have different thoughts on child leashes, but one thing is clear: parents should be supported in their decisions, not criticized for them.
In public, should kids wear leashes? What do you think? Add your thoughts and join the chat.
