It is your job to make sure this animal has water, you wanted this pet so badly and you promised to take care of it. If you can't be responsible we'll have to get rid of that animal. While both approaches are intended to do the same thing, the first example places the child in the role of competent problem solver, the second example places the child in the role of irresponsible slacker. Give information To continue with our first example, say that you've told the child the hamster is sucking at an empty water bottle and the child does nothing to remedy the situation. Avoid criticizing the child for not having taken care of things promptly.
Children do like to be helpful, and far from being lazy, they usually have more energy than adults.
Acknowledge feelings and then offer a choice. Listen to the child, and if you guess, ask the child to confirm. Acknowledging these feelings can help build the child's vocabulary but that is secondary. Again, try choices you could both live with. Usually, voicing your acceptance of the child's feelings and then offering the choices that are OK for both of you will prevent you from getting to the point of exasperation.