A MUM has left the social media users divided after revealing she has her daughter tied on a leash when out and about.
The mum, known as TikTok user Alexis (@alexishealth), went viral earlier this year after posting the controversial clip of herself shopping with her young child.
In the video, which has since racked up close to a whopping 13million views, Alexis can be seen tying a pink leash around her daughter's wrist whilst she's sitting in the shopping cart.
''I’m tired of the world being this way but I’m NEVER tired of protecting my girls,'' the mum wrote in the caption.
''I’m okay looking like a crazy mom. As long as my babies are safe.”
The short clip unleashed a debate amongst fellow internet users on TikTok and many flocked to comments to slam the parent.
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“I’m a mom & this seems excessive,” one viewer insisted.
''You’re at The Dollar Tree with the child in the cart right in front of you. Really, The Dollar Tree?''
Someone else was just as baffled and reckoned: “It’s insane this is so normalized.''
''Every time I see these types of videos I laugh,'' another chuckled.
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However, a number of protective parents said they understood why Alexis insisted on having the leash.
“I don’t care what anyone says — I’m doing this,” a supporter said.
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“Call me crazy but I will always be a protective mom first.”
A second thought the same and penned: “Moms get shamed for everything they do, no matter what.
''Do what you need to do to keep your kids safe in this crazy world.''
After going viral and being slammed for her antics, Alexis uploaded a video hitting back at all the trolls.
''Everything that I post – everybody has an opinion.
''You cannot make everyone happy – and that's just how life is.
''It's taken me a minute to realise that,'' she added, before pulling out the pink leash she was about to use again.
In an interview with Bored Panda, Alexis noted that using the leash on her own daughter provided a sense of security.
“My youngest is still too young to express vocally how she feels, however, I don’t think she minds it.
''In fact, every time I pull it out of my purse, she puts her wrist out,” she claimed.
“She also likes playing with it while shopping. My oldest doesn’t mind it at all.''
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Alexis, who used to work as an ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) therapist, said that children with autism often tend to elope.
This means that a child – usually with special needs – wanders away from a caregiver without approval, making for a traumatic experience for both the kid and the adult.
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