An Indian mother living in New York has sparked debate online after sharing an Instagram video of her 3-year-old son wearing a child leash during a family outing. While some people praised her for prioritising safety, others criticised the move. Despite the backlash, she stood by her decision, calling it the best choice for her young child in a crowded city environment.
Indian Woman In New York Uses Leash On 3-Year-Old Son
Shubhangi Jagota, an Indian mother based in Canada, posted a video from her family trip to New York City. Her 3.5 year‑old son is seen playing energetically in Times Square while tethered to a short leash attached to his father. She captioned:
View this post on Instagram
“He’s 3.5 and we’re not ashamed to say we put him on a leash.
In a city like New York, this was hands-down the best decision for our trip. Our little runner always wants his freedom, and this gave him just that—without giving us a heart attack every 5 minutes.”
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Why She Made The Choice?
During the family outing, the leash allowed her son to roam freely and joyfully, while still staying within a safe zone. In her own words, “This was hands‑down the best decision for our trip”. Not wanting to risk losing him in the bustle of New York, she found the leash offered both freedom for her child and peace of mind for her.
She also wrote, “He got to explore without holding hands every second. We got peace of mind knowing he wasn’t getting lost or—let’s be real—stolen. 😅
The best part? He thought we were on the leash. He called himself the sheriff and us his captives. Honestly, everyone was winning.”
Shubhangi Jagota shared that using the leash gave their lively little one the freedom to explore the city while keeping him close enough to stay safe. It took away the worry of constantly holding his hand or him wandering off on his own.
Public Reaction
The post quickly attracted online attention and opinion. Some parents applauded her for keeping her toddler safe, especially in a crowded city. Others argued that leashes control the kid, raising concerns about independence, stigma, or anxiety for the child. The video has gained more than 11,500 likes in 3 days.
Safety or Controversy
In today’s fast-paced world, a child’s safety should always come first, even if it invites judgement. Using a child leash in a crowded place like New York isn’t about control, it’s about protection and peace of mind. Parenting looks different for everyone, and one size doesn't fit all. It’s easy to criticise from afar, but we must respect a parent’s choice when it's rooted in love and caution. At the end of the day, keeping a child safe is far more important than pleasing the internet.
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Image credit: Freepik
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