One universal truth that all parents have to accept at some point is the fact that there will always be someone out there who is judging how you raise your children.
Whether it's a pregnant mom deciding what to have for dinner, parents shopping for diapers and toys, or helping their teenagers look at colleges, there will be someone judging every step of the way.
But one subject that people get really loud about is how a parent takes care of their child in public, including their use or absence of a baby or toddler leash.
Recently while attending a kids' basketball game, Jordan Varneau, of @jordanvarneau on TikTok, caught something he found to be hilarious on video, but which left viewers feeling a little divided.
In the video, Varneau showed a group of moms standing together and talking during the game. One child was lying on the ground while watching a tablet, in a child's protective case, of course, and next to them was a crawling, adventurous baby.
But as the baby made their way forward onto the basketball court, they suddenly slid rapidly backward. On their second and third attempt, the baby continued to slide back, and the recording finally caught the flash of the leash that was attached to the baby's waistband.
Hilariously on replay, the mother can be seen pulling her baby back to her without ever breaking her conversation.
You can watch the video here:
Some thought it was incredibly funny to watch the totally unbothered mom.
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
A few noted that the baby appeared to be having fun with being pulled back, too.
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
Some applauded the mom for doing what she needed to do for her baby.
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
A few also pointed out to any possible naysayers that no harm had come to the baby in the video.
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
@jordanvarneau/TikTok
While baby leashes have received negative attention in the past, with naysayers likening children on leashes to now being more like pets, leashes have become a much more practical and acceptable option in recent years.
It may not be true of every child, but some children are runners and adventurers from the moment they learn how to crawl, and sometimes instead of yelling at them or constantly chasing them, it's better to have them on a leash and allow them to explore the length of it worry-free.
Plus, for a mom in a situation like this, she was able to catch up with her fellow moms and watch her child perform in their basketball game without the distraction of chasing one of her children onto and around the basketball court.
Elaine Miles/Facebook
@doctor_kristinm/Threads
@PeteHegseth/X
The White House