Picture this: one dad, five exuberant five-year-olds, and a world that’s far too judgmental for its own good. Welcome to the life of Jordan Driskell, a young father mastering the art of herding quintuplets—and he’s caught quite the flak for it!

Jordan’s quintuplets, all like little explorers looking to chart the unknown, are at the age where curiosity and chaos go hand in hand. Preschoolers are notoriously hard to manage, but multiply that by five and you’ve got a task that’s Herculean at best.

Now, enter the hero of our story—Jordan Driskell, the 31-year-old father who found a solution by thinking outside the box (or should we say, stroller?). Tired of lugging around a cumbersome six-seater stroller that the kids loathed, Jordan opted for a method as innovative as it is controversial: leashes. Yes, you read that right—leashes for kids! Imagine trying to navigate Disneyland with five hyperactive five-year-olds. You’re either losing a kid or you’re investing in leash technology.

On their family outings, the leashes have allowed the Driskells to move freely and safely, giving the kids the freedom to explore their surroundings without the constant fear of one going rogue and getting lost. Practical solution, right? But oh boy, did the internet have a field day when Jordan posted a video of their trip to the aquarium. The post went viral, amassing over 3 million views and a tidal wave of backlash. Keyboard warriors rained down their unsolicited advice and condemnation. “They’re not animals!” they decried. Well, maybe not, but anyone who’s herded five kids will tell you some days are a zoo!

The judgments ranged from the absurd (“Just don’t have so many kids!”) to the naive (“Can’t you train your children better?”). Ah yes, the internet—where everyone’s an expert parent until it’s their turn.

But before you join the critics, let’s cut to some expert opinion. Enter Dr. Deborah Gilboa, a shining beacon of reason in the parenting storm. According to Dr. Gilboa, leashes aren’t about treating kids like animals; they’re about keeping them safe. In her words, if the choice is between being housebound and using a leash, the leash is the no-brainer.

Dr. Gilboa also pointed out that such tools are especially useful for younger and neuro-diverse children in public settings. However, if by eight or nine, the kids still need to be restrained, it might be time for parents to re-evaluate their strategies and focus more on verbal communication and discipline. That’s a level-headed take we can all get behind!

Ultimately, shouldn’t parents have the freedom to decide what’s best for their brood without society playing judge and jury? The real question isn’t about leashes or so-called “unconventional” parenting tools. It’s about recognizing the herculean task of raising multiple young children and the unique solutions parents come up with to keep their sanity. Long gone are the days when raising kids was a neighborhood affair; today, parents are peppered with opinions from all corners, even those armchair experts on the internet. But at the end of the day, no one knows those kids better than their parents.

So here’s the million-dollar question: where do you stand on the leash debate? Is it a clever trick of the trade or an unnecessary overreach? Opinions will undoubtedly vary, but unless you’ve walked a mile in Jordan’s shoes—or wrangled five kids—you might want to consider reserving judgment.

Whatever your stance, one thing’s clear: parenting is an adventure of epic proportions, requiring creativity, patience, and yes, sometimes even leashes! Feel free to share your thoughts below. Share this with your friends and family to see if they think Jordan’s genius or just barking up the wrong tree!

What’s my take? Let parents parent. Whether it’s a leash, a stroller, or just holding hands—do whatever it takes to keep those little ones safe and sound. And maybe, just maybe, let’s ease up on the snap judgments and lend some support instead.