Louisville, KY – Parenting quintuplets is no small feat, and for Jordan Driskell, a father of five energetic 5-year-olds, ensuring their safety during outings is paramount. Recently, Driskell faced a wave of online criticism after sharing a video of himself walking his children using child harnesses, commonly referred to as “leashes.”
The video, which quickly went viral, showcased Driskell and his quintuplets—Zoey, Dakota, Hollyn, Asher, and Gavin—enjoying a day out, each child secured with a harness to prevent them from wandering off in crowded areas. While some viewers expressed support, praising his proactive approach to child safety, others were less understanding.
Critics accused Driskell of treating his children like animals, with comments such as “They are humans, not dogs” and “Can’t you just train your children well?” flooding the comment sections. Some even questioned his decision to have so many children if he couldn’t manage them without leashes.
In response to the backlash, Driskell defended his parenting choices in an interview with TODAY Parents, stating, “Kids are so curious—they want to run off and explore. For our own 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.”
He further explained that traditional methods, like using a six-seat stroller, proved impractical for their family, as it was too bulky and restrictive. The harnesses, on the other hand, provide the children with a sense of freedom while ensuring their safety.
Despite the negative comments, many parents and supporters rallied behind Driskell, emphasizing the importance of not judging others without understanding their circumstances. One supporter commented, “I’d rather kids on a leash than a damn Amber Alert,” highlighting the primary concern of child safety.
Driskell and his wife, Briana, welcomed their quintuplets in 2017 after a two-year struggle with infertility. Since then, they’ve been navigating the challenges of raising multiple children, often sharing their experiences on social media to shed light on the realities of parenting multiples.
