Raising kids today comes with its challenges—especially for young parents who face not only family opinions but also criticism from strangers online.
Jordan Driskell, a 31-year-old father of 5-year-old quintuplets, found parenting five curious kids at once overwhelming. To keep them safe in public, he opted for child leashes instead of their old, bulky 6-seat stroller, which had become inconvenient and uncomfortable for the kids.
Driskell shared a video of their trip to the aquarium using the leashes, which went viral with over 3 million views and sparked backlash. Critics compared the leashes to treating kids like animals, while others questioned his parenting choices.
However, parenting expert Dr. Deborah Gilboa defended the use of leashes, especially for young or neuro-diverse children. She emphasized that safety is key, and if the alternative is staying home, leashes are a practical solution. Still, she noted that neurotypical kids should eventually develop verbal communication and listening skills, ideally by age eight or nine.