The Debate Around Kids Wearing Leashes: A Parent’s Point of View
In the modern world, being a parent can be like negotiating a minefield. In addition to the difficulties of childrearing, contemporary parents frequently face unwanted advice from well-meaning relatives and online strangers who feel obliged to offer their opinions on how they should raise their children.
As a 31-year-old father of five, raising quintuplets has been particularly difficult for Jordan Driskell. Outings are difficult for him and his family because of his five energetic and inquisitive youngsters. Jordan faces the additional difficulty of managing five children of the same age—all of whom are at a stage in life where they like exploring and wandering—while many parents of small children find it difficult to control their children in public.
Jordan came up with the innovative idea of child leashes to solve the problem of keeping children safe when they were out in public.
A Workable Answer for a Dynamic Family
Jordan and his spouse have previously attempted to manage their huge family with a six-seater. But soon the stroller was no longer useful. Outings became less fun as the children, who were becoming more self-reliant and active, became restless in the stroller. Additionally, the stroller was heavy and challenging to use, particularly in congested areas.
Jordan made the decision to buy child collars in order to allow his kids to roam freely while still keeping them under control. His kids could now explore their environment and go around without worrying about getting lost or running away in crowded public areas.
Jordan recorded a trip to the aquarium with his quintuplets, demonstrating how the leashes assisted in keeping the children under control while they were there. But as soon as he uploaded the footage on the internet, it became viral and received a lot of negative feedback. Millions of people watched the video of his kids on leashes, and many of them criticized him for treating them like animals.
The Retaliation: Unknown Criticism
Many people who were concerned with the thought of kids wearing leashes had an emotional reaction to the video. According to some commenters, “Children aren’t pets! They shouldn’t be treated like pets. Some adopted a more critical stance, asking questions such as, “Why did you have so many children if you can’t manage five?”
“Why don’t you just teach your kids to behave and explain the dangers of running off?” was one of the many critiques that passed for “advice” or “guidance.” It was obvious that using leashes was superfluous and a sign of bad parenting.
An Alternative Viewpoint: Professional Opinion
Even though the online criticism was severe, not all parenting authorities share the same viewpoint. Renowned physician and parenting authority Dr. Deborah Gilboa provided an alternative viewpoint. According to her, putting a child on a leash does not mean that they are being treated like an animal. She even says that in some situations, a parent’s best bet for keeping their child safe in public may be to use a leash.
Dr. Gilboa stresses that a leash can be a useful tool in public places for younger kids or those with neurodiverse requirements. It gives kids a chance to investigate their surroundings without worrying about getting lost or running away. A leash can provide piece of mind for parents whose kids struggle to grasp public safety, enabling them to enjoy outings without continual concern.
But Dr. Gilboa also notes that instead of depending on physical restraints like leashes, children should ideally be learning to heed to verbal directions as they become older. A youngster may not have fully developed their capacity to listen or follow instructions if they are still utilizing a leash at the ages of 8 or 9, which may suggest more serious behavioral issues.
The Right to Parent Without Being Judged
A broader discussion regarding parenting choices was spurred by Jordan’s decision to employ child collars. The dispute draws attention to a larger problem: parents ought to be allowed to raise their kids however they see fit, free from unjustified criticism from others. Being a parent is a very personal adventure, and what suits one family might not suit another. Society should recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all strategy and respect the diversity of approaches.
Leashes offered Jordan and his quintuplets a workable way to deal with an overwhelming circumstance. As a father of five, his only option could have been to stay away from outings completely, depriving his kids of the chance to experience and learn in new settings.
Conclusion: What Do You Think?
It’s unlikely that the argument over children’s leashes will end anytime soon. While some parents vehemently disagree with the concept, others swear by it. In the end, it boils down to what each family finds effective while keeping the children’s safety and wellbeing in mind.
What are your thoughts? Is it necessary to use a leash on a youngster, or is it a useful tool? Post your ideas in the space provided for comments below. Remember to tell your friends and family about this post so you can hear their opinions!