Recently a dad of five sparked an online debate by putting a leash on his five-year-old quintuplets when he took them for a walk.
31-year-old Jordan Driskell from Kentucky posted a video on his Instagram where he was taking a walk with his five children – Zoey, Dakota, Hollyn, Asher, and Gavin.
The clip showed Jordan walking his five kids while holding five ropes in his hand tied to all five of them.
His video went viral on Instagram and attracted 70,000 views and almost 600 comments, where some people criticized him for putting leashes on his toddlers.
“They are not dogs. How about teaching [them] what to do?” Wrote one angry user.
“But teachers can look after 30 kids without using leashes,” Said another.
“Are you gonna train them to pull a sleigh next? Which one has the red nose? Are any of them rescue?” Another commented.
“Don’t have so many kids,’ quipped one commenter, while someone else said, ‘Those kids are way too old to be walked on a leash like a d**n dog.” Someone else said.
Meanwhile, many also commented in Jordan’s favor and supported him for doing the right thing.
“I have nothing but respect for you sir. Better safe than sorry. If I had that many I would do the same. Rock on!”
“With five kids you need that… Responsible parenting right here.”
“Considering my two-year-old tried to bolt into the street, yeah, we use leashes now too,”
“Keeping them safe is priority number one. So you’re all good, sir. It’s not hurting them in any way.”
“There’s nothing wrong with this, I think it’s brilliant. I always used baby harness with reigns on my two so they were always by me,”
“Not going to lie, some kids really need leashes, nothing wrong with not wanting to lose your child every time you look away,”
After his video went viral on social media, Jordan spoke on the Today Show and explained that his kids love to run off and disperse whenever they go out. So, he and his wife Brianna mutually agreed to use leashes for the safety of their kids.
“Kids are so curious – they want to run off and explore. For our own peace of mind and sanity, we use a leash. It allows us to leave the house and do fun as a family without being stressed.”
He further said that they used to put the kids in strollers, but two people couldn’t walk with five strollers or even a five-seat stroller.
“It was just too bulky and ridiculous to take anywhere. The other thing is, they want to walk when we go somewhere crowded.”
“A leash gives them the opportunity to do that – but we’re still in control. They love it.”
Daily Mail wrote that a pediatrician named Benjamin Hoffman, the chairman of the injury prevention council at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) told Good Housekeeping that he does not suggest using leashes on children.
“As a pediatrician, I’m not happy to see children leashed like pets. As the father of three, I am well aware of how quick, impulsive, and unpredictable kids can be.”
“But from an injury standpoint, I would worry about entanglement or choking – we know the risks of other loose cords, like on window blinds.” He added.
“I’ve personally witnessed parents pull back forcefully on a leash, resulting in a fall, often backwards.”
“I worry about injuries to head and limbs in that scenario. As a pediatrician, I would never recommend them. I would rather see a child in a stroller than on a leash.”
The outlet reported that another doctor named Deborah Gilboa, however, spoke in favor of using leashed on kids.
“This isn’t treating kids like animals. This is creative problem-solving. The alternative would be just staying at home.” She said while speaking on Today.
“It’s a great system for a parent with a neurodiverse child or a child who hasn’t nailed all their listening skills.”
“99.99 percent of moms and dads want what’s best for their kids, and they do it to solve a problem. Just because you can’t identify the problem doesn’t mean it’s not there.”
What do you think about this story? Do you think using leashes on children is a sensible practice? Let us know your views.
Sources: Jordan Driskell Instagram – Daily Mail – Good Housekeeping – Images & Featured Images via Jordan Driskell Instagram
If you have every had you child run off in a crowded mall, or theme park, you wouldn’t have any issues with using a leash.
There is nothing wrong with using a harness on children. It doesn’t mean they are being treated like dogs. They are being kept safe. I support this 100%
I had one on my son. I didn’t one day & he was gone woosh. I never ever took him out again for a couple of years without it. It saved him I believe & helped my nerves too.