If you suspect that you've fallen into the sympathy trap with your child, you can ease your way out using the skills of active listening. Practice these simple steps to listen to your child until they come naturally.
For more information and assistance with active listening and the skills of good parent-child communication, I recommend the work of Thomas Gordon's Parent Effectiveness Training. The classic book on parenting is now updated and is still a must for every parenting library.
First > What Is a Sympathy Trap?