These days, parenting is tough enough without the added pressure of constant scrutiny. Young parents face not only the opinions of their own families but also unsolicited comments from strangers online, especially when their parenting choices are a little unconventional.

Take Jordan Driskell, a father of quintuplets—all five years old. As you can imagine, managing five kids the same age is no easy feat, especially with curious, energetic five-year-olds who are always eager to explore the world around them. To solve this overwhelming challenge, 31-year-old Jordan came up with a unique solution: child-sized leashes.

Initially, the family relied on a six-seater stroller for outings. But as the kids got older, it became uncomfortable for them to sit in for long, and lugging that massive stroller around wasn’t exactly convenient for Jordan and his wife. So, they opted for leashes, which let the kids roam and explore while still staying close and safe under Dad’s watchful eye.

Everything seemed to be working well until Jordan posted a video of a family trip to the aquarium, where the kids were happily moving around with their leashes on. That video quickly went viral, racking up over 3 million views. However, not everyone was on board with Jordan’s parenting style. Critics came out of the woodwork, comparing the leashes to something used for animals rather than children.

One commenter even said, “Don’t have so many kids if you can’t handle the pressure,” while others sarcastically suggested, “Why not just train them properly and teach them about the dangers of running off?”

But not everyone was quick to judge. Dr. Deborah Gilboa, a parenting expert, had a different perspective. She doesn’t think leashes dehumanize kids or turn them into animals. In fact, she argues that in certain situations, like when handling a large family or dealing with children with neurodiversity, using a leash might be a practical and safer choice.

That said, Dr. Gilboa also noted that by the time a neurotypical child reaches the age of eight or nine, they should ideally be learning to listen and walk independently, and by then, verbal communication should replace the need for any kind of physical restraint.

At the end of the day, parenting is never one-size-fits-all. Whether it’s using leashes or something else, parents should be free to raise their children in the way that works best for them—without the constant judgment from society. After all, every family has its own set of challenges and solutions.