Parenting is undeniably challenging, incredibly so. Anyone who claims otherwise either lacks firsthand experience or is romanticizing past memories. There is no definitive guidebook on how to be an exemplary mother or father, how to navigate specific situations, or how to handle unruly behavior and boundary testing from your children.
This ambiguity often leads to extensive conflicts regarding the right approach to parenting, particularly evident in the increasing number of online forums where individuals passionately debate various aspects of raising a child.
Recently, a mother found herself amidst a storm of controversy after a video captured her pulling her son through an airport using a harness tied around his chest. The incident took place in 2019 and was uploaded to TikTok, igniting a heated debate among internet users. It is not uncommon for parents to encounter situations where their patience is tested by their sons and daughters.
Each of us has our own strategies for dealing with such challenges, but it is unrealistic to claim that we have always handled them flawlessly. We make decisions based on what we believe to be best, and for the most part, it is not anyone else’s place to interfere.
However, in this particular case, some felt that a mother had crossed a line when she was filmed dragging her child through an airport using a leash. The video was shared by TikToker @cacadoodledoo83 (Erica Shupe Hall), who titled it “Leaving Cancun is tough…I feel ya, buddy.” The clip quickly gained immense attention, amassing millions of views and generating a multitude of conflicting comments.
The footage depicted a mother seemingly attempting to persuade her child to follow her. When the boy refused and lay down on the floor instead, she resorted to pulling him across the carpet using the leash attached to his harness.
Unsurprisingly, the comments section erupted in a whirlwind of opinions. One commenter, Delicia, expressed, “My OCD would not allow me to drag my child on that dirty floor. I’d rather pick him up, but I guess I’m different.” Another user, JennyLisg, claimed, “Horrible parent. That’s child abuse.” A third individual wrote, “I just carry mine at that point. I’m not dragging them on that dirty floor.” And yet another person stated, “There is a difference, in my opinion, between using a harness for the safety of your child and dragging the child with it on the ground. I wouldn’t do that to my dog, and I sure as hell wouldn’t do it to my child.”
Despite the significant number of people who criticized the mother’s actions, others rallied to her defense. Sophia commented, “Lmao! Do what you gotta do momma.” Another individual remarked, “I’m not saying it’s right… I’m saying I understand! Show me a perfect parent who has never made an error in judgment or hasn’t done whatever they could to survive the day.”
Shimona Jade Kennett added, “I don’t see any issue with this. Although she could’ve probably carried him, he seems okay to be pulled along. If the kid were distressed, he would have been making a scene.” Yet another person shared, “I had a harness and leash for my five kids. I never lost them. They never got hurt. They were safe and liked the independence of not having to hold my hand. I don’t recall ever having to drag them like this, but I understand how it could happen.”
You can watch the video below:
