Viral
Dad Sparks Outrage After Using A Leash To Take His Five-Year-Old Quintuplets For A Walk
He insists it allows them to do fun stuff without being stressed.
A video of Jordan Driskell using a lease to take his five-year-old quintuplets, Dakota, Zara, Asher, Gavin, and Zoey, on a walk has sparked outrage online. The clip saw the dad, married to his wife Briana, 34, holding onto five ropes, each connected to a harness that one of his kids wore, as the family all walked calmly together outside of an aquarium.
It appears the dad was ensuring his children shouldn’t wander off, run away, or perhaps get lost, but his viewers have slammed him.
The video went viral and launched an argument between Instagram users, some of whom respected the dad’s decision to use a leash on his children. But many insulted Jordan, pointing out that his children are humans, not dogs. “Come walk a mile in my shoes,” the clip caption read alongside the song Vegas by Doja Cat played in the background.
@drixxleman They don’t know the struggle! #parentsoftiktok #momsoftiktok #dadsoftiktok #foryou #fyp #dad #mom ♬ Vegas (From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ELVIS) – Doja Cat
Particularly, most were not for the leashes and instead bashed the dad for treating his children like animals.
Due to the backlash, Jordan, via an interview with TODAY Show, explained that his children love to run off and explore their curiosity, so he and his wife use leashes for their peace of mind and sanity. He told the outlet: “Kids are so curious, they want to run off and explore. For our peace of mind and sanity, we use a leash. It also allows us to leave the house and do fun stuff as a family without being stressed.”
@drixxleman Replying to @qu3en_tay don’t mind me! #momsoftiktok #dadsoftiktok #childleash #kidsoftiktok #parentsoftiktok #parents ♬ Vegas (From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ELVIS) – Doja Cat
Jordan revealed they used to push around a five-seat stroller, but it wasn’t practical since it was so bulky.
He added: “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.” However, Benjamin Hoffman, a pediatrician, told Good Housekeeping he advises against leashes due to the risk of falling, but another doctor, Deborah Gilboa, described the leash as creative problem solving while speaking to TODAY.
