The age of helicopter parenting is producing cottonwool Aussie kids, writes Kylie Lang

IT’S on again – the great race, as parents exhibit a near pathological desire to drop their little darlings as close as possible to the school gates.

Heaven forbid, a child has to walk some distance, and don’t even consider public transport or a bicycle. I’m not surprised that governments are ramping up fines in school zones.

This is no-brainer revenue raising in the age of helicopter parenting.

This year, councils will join police (who really have better things to do) in pinching motorists who hog two-minute zones, who double park trying to jag a space, and who block private driveways.

Pedestrian crossings will be closely monitored so that they stay as intended – a safe pass – instead of danger strips where there’s every chance of ending up on the bonnet of a car.

It should never have come to this – there are bigger issues to focus on without mi