I am babysitting a 2 year old mexican kid and he keeps crying for something that sounds like "deeta" or "teeta". I have tried searching online to try to find out what he could possibly be talking about!
I think it's something to drink. I gave him milk and he won't drink it. He started crying for "deeta" or "teeta". So I gave him water, he threw his cup on the floor. That's all I have to drink! His mother told me that he drinks ANYTHING, but apparently that's NOT true!
He's been crying non-stop for the past hour and a half.
What should I do?
Is there anyone mexican or spanish out there that can help me! His mom doesn't get off until 5:00, that's 5 and a half hours from now!
I'm STRESSED!
2007-04-25 05:41:26 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
He keeps pointing to the refrigerator and handing me his drink cup, which is why I'm pretty sure it's a drink. I already tried giving him food, he won't take it. He doesn't have a pacifier nor is he breastfed. He drinks out of a sippy cup. I'm not at his house, I'm at my own house. I have no bed or crib here for him. I've tried distracting him with a movie and toys. There's only so much I can work with here at my house, I don't have kids of my own.
To Destiny: Sorry, but the last think I'm worrying about right now is technicalities. I didn't think there was anything wrong with saying Mexican or Spanish. And since I'm neither one, I really didn't know the "correct" term to use.
2007-04-25 06:03:14 · update #1
First, try very very very hard to calm down. He's a toddler, they're not exactly known for their reasoning skills. He's picking up how upset you are, and it's only making matters worse. You have to calm down in order to get him to.
I don't know if he speaks English, or understands it, but this method has always worked for me with my kids, and kids I've babysat.
Take a deep breath and try to calm down, then look them in the face and say very calmly and repetatively, "Calm down, look at me." Then lead him to the refrigerator, the cabinet, anywhere you think "deeta" or "teeta" would be, and ask him to show you.
I looked up drinks most 2-year-olds have, and none of them sound like the word he's saying. But is it possible he's been breastfed, or he is currently breastfeeding? "Niño(a) de teta" is a "breastfed baby."
Good luck with that.
EDIT: Okay, since you aren't at his home, that is going to make things MUCH more difficult, and I would reccommend you call his mom. I have two kids, and I know that if I had a babysitter in that same situation, I would want her to call me. It's quite possible you could give her a call and say "He won't stop asking for deeta!" and she could go, "oh my gosh, I'm sorry, that's what he calls cheese" or whatever it is. It's hard enough to figure out a 2-year-old's language questions when you're sure they're at least attempting to speak the same language you speak. If he's giving you his own version of a word you wouldn't understand even if he said it correctly, you could be fighting a losing battle. I would still suggest you calm down, try to calm him down, and see if he can TRY to show you what he's asking for. You might not have "deeta" at your house, but it can't hurt to let him try to look. At least that way, he may understand you're not just holding out on him.
2007-04-25 06:21:14 · answer #1 · answered by CrazyChick 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a crying baby is VERY stressful...the best thing you can right now is make sure he isn't hungry or wet and then put him in his crib and walk away for a few minutes.
when you regain your composure, call his mom. she will appreciate you having the guts to ask her a question. just call and say: "hi mrs. so and so...little so and so is crying for something and i'm not sure what he means. it sounds like "deeta." what do you think it is??"
-edit-
well, i would call his mom...she really won't care or think you're a bad sitter or something...in fact, she'll probably trust you more because she knows you'll call when you need her.
you know, the kid could just be screwing with you too...one time i was babysitting a 3 year old (i was like 14) and he took all of his clothes off and tried to flush them down the toilet and he thought it was SO funny. then another time his 5 year old brother locked me out of the house. i started carrying a screw driver and the phone around in my pocket. the best thing you can do is calm down and try to get him interested in something else. try singing silly songs or dancing.
2007-04-25 05:48:28 · answer #2 · answered by G is for Grover 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you can't find what he wants, try distraction. Get out some stuff to make cookies with or at least make a mess with. Carry him through the kicthen/house and have him point to what he wants. I don't speak spanish but many two-year-olds have made-up words or close approximations that are nearly unintelligible by adults anyway. Make sure that you reassure him that his mom will be home near dinner time and see if you can find other fun things to play with. He may not be asking for food/drink, he may be asking for mom or a game or something else. Like I said, 2-yr-olds don't always speak in a language adults do.
2007-04-25 05:47:56 · answer #3 · answered by Momofthreeboys 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Distraction! Try to distract him with a cartoon or start playing with some of his toys and let him become interested in what you are doing. Also, try a pasi or some type of food. Maybe he's hungry. Can you take him outside for a walk and show him the trees and birds and cars??? Just calm down yourself.... and talk to him calmly. If you just continue to talk in a calm manner as if he were paying attention, he might relax and tune in to what you are saying. If you just can't take it, put him in his crib or bed for a few minutes, and go into the living room and breathe! Take a break, he will be ok. You could also call mommy and ask what to do. Hope this helps. Just don't get stressed, he can sense your stress.
2007-04-25 05:50:57 · answer #4 · answered by Chavahleah 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The Spanish word for aunt is tia which is pronounced tee-a, since he's two it's possible that he's sort of mispronouncing it. Maybe he had an aunt who watched him before you?
Also, you could ask him to show you what he wants....if it's something that you have. When his mom gets out of work mention what he was saying and ask her what it is that he's referring to.
2007-04-25 05:50:25 · answer #5 · answered by Lwood 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i would try different things with him.... but it could either be a pacifier or a certain type of food....
or sometimes kids have their own names for things when they can't say a certain word... spanish or english words... so you may want to just try various things with him....
but next time just ask his mom what it could mean and ask for any words she can think of that may help you out....
2007-04-25 05:52:56 · answer #6 · answered by crazydeb16 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you don't have a pacifier for him maybe get a washcloth
and wet it and see if he will chew on that.
2007-04-25 05:52:22 · answer #7 · answered by chmar11 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hes not breast fed is he?.. lol teeta sounds like tit kinda sorry but this is funny at the same time i feel bad for you...
umm .... maybe thats someones name... just try to take him for a walk or soemthing.. maybe he will fall asleep or just simply grab his hand and say what is it that you want?.. and when he replies say ok i dont understand you come show me what it is... and maybe he will guide you to whatever it is he needs or wants...
hope this helps..
and good luck!!!
2007-04-25 05:51:14 · answer #8 · answered by lilmommy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am HISPANIC, I think that that is the term you should have used. Anyway, my daughter used to say "teeta" for 2 things her pacifier and tortilla. Maybe he is hungry? Have u asked if he was hungry? Hope that helped.
2007-04-25 05:45:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Okay I have your answer "Teta" in spanish means breast, is the baby breastfeed still? You have a smart child on your hands!
2007-04-25 05:52:14 · answer #10 · answered by alisha b 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋