Mom's Viral Parking Lot Safety Tip Labeled Heartbreaking but 'Brilliant'

A video of a mom's safety tip for keeping her kids safe in the parking lot has racked up over 7 million views on TikTok.

The footage shows Lauren McDonald, 43, lifting her two daughters, Hayes, 5, and Haven, 4, out of the car. They immediately cling to her legs as she proceeds to get her two-year-old son, Hollis, out.

She told Newsweek: "Teaching them to hold onto my legs in public places allows me to do the things I need to do with confidence."

Using the handle @lumcdonald, she points out in the on-screen text: "The safety tip that could save your child's life."

Motor vehicle traffic crashes are a leading cause of death among children in the United States. In 2021, there were 60.6 million children, making up 18 percent of the total U.S. population. According to U.S. Department of Transportation, an average of three children were killed and an estimated 445 children were injured every day in traffic crashes that year.

Initially, McDonald was advised by someone to teach her kids to hold onto her shirt but she found this method was "much safer and more comforting."

She told Newsweek: "Being a mom with multiples, it's hard to keep an eye on them at all times.

"I see so many kids running around in parking lots and it's so dangerous. This way I can feel my kids without seeing them, and I know they are safe from cars."

At the time of writing, the video shared on May 7 has received more than 401,000 likes and almost 2,000 comments.

One user said: "I love this tip but hate that you have to do it."

Another user asked: "I think this is very clever and a good idea, I'm just curious of long term affect... could this make them insecure/scared/fears as they grow older in the real world?"

McDonald's reply said: "That's a valid question. And honestly I don't know. I only tell them it's because I don't want them getting hit by a car, and [because] mommy said so."

A third commenter said: "This is brilliant. I'm a trauma nurse and I can't number the number of children I took care of that were hit by cars in parking lots. Horrific."

A fourth user said: "it's so heartbreaking it has to be this way now."

Speaking from experience, a different user said: "When my little sister was younger my mom and I had her hold onto the belt loops on our jeans. This is great."

McDonald agreed that children holding onto their parent's pockets also worked and she also said it took a lot of patience to teach her daughters to follow the instruction.

If you have a family dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.