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Swiss vs. American parenting: Differences according to a US mom

Chantal Panozzo says her suburban Chicago neighbors were shocked when she let her 7-year-old daughter walk to school alone.

I've discovered that these parents are all lovely people and well-meaning, but they're also part of something my husband and I still — even after being "home" for a decade — can't bring ourselves to join: the school car line. Parents don't drive children to school or hover at the playground while constantly telling their child to share, to say they're sorry, to be nice. When Swiss people didn't honor my need for American-size personal space, pushing ahead of me while getting on the train, I missed the polite way many Americans wait in line.

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