For most students, balancing academics, extracurriculars and a social life is already a challenge. But for those who take on babysitting, the responsibility grows even further.
Addie Iacona is a Revere High School (RHS) junior who began babysitting over two years ago. What started out as a way to pass the time quickly became a passion.
“I’ve always had an open heart toward kids. I feel like it’s always been my calling to work with kids, to have kids when I’m older. It’s a new life that is going through the world, and to be a help to them would be amazing to me,” Iacona said.
She discovered her first babysitting opportunity by chance while watching her younger brother at the park. Naturally drawn to children, she played with her brother and his friends, including a boy named Henry Ihas
“Henry, he was always very orderly, always very crazy. And I would go to the park, as my brother would play, and I would just play with him,” Iacona said.
Since Henry and Iacona’s brother were also on the same baseball team, forming a connection came easily. Before long, she became the babysitter for the Ihases and eventually for many other families in the neighborhood.
“There are four kids, ranging from [ages] six to eleven. . . . It’s a lot, but it’s so fun. They’ve treated me like I’m their older sister,” Iacona said.
Now a junior, Iacona has started thinking about her future, particularly regarding her college and career aspirations. Babysitting has given her firsthand experience in understanding children’s emotions and behaviors, which has fueled her interest in psychology.
I want to be a therapist, some sort of child psychologist. I’m more so looking toward behavior in children. . . . So, helping them with their behavior, since a lot of things can happen when children develop,” Iacona said.
She hopes to continue babysitting for the Ihases, which is why she plans to attend a university close to home.
RHS Junior Kate Saltis, who has been Iacona’s close friend since the 3rd grade, spoke on her character, explaining what it is about Iacona that makes her so good with kids.
“Addie is like one of the most kind-hearted souls I know in my life. She’s like the sweetest person in the world. She’s also a very trustworthy person; if you ask her to keep something, she’ll absolutely do that,” Saltis said.
Like Iacona, Saltis also frequently works with kids during the coaching she does for both soccer and cheer, along with babysitting in the summers. She spoke on how this common interest actually helped develop their friendship.
“I think jobs like coaching or babysitting, or just interacting with kids and other people grows your like social network and it helps you experience [different] interactions. . . . Especially little kids [that] are kind of hard to deal with, but they’re cute so it’s okay,” Saltis said.
Different jobs like coaching and babysitting are good stepping stones when it comes to learning about kids. Iacona decided to take her passion one step further by applying for a position at the Hudson Goldfish Swim School, which aligns to her long-term goal of working with kids and further helps her develop skills in guiding and teaching them.
“I’m going to teach little kids how to swim. I’m so excited. . . . it’s not that far, so it’s a perfect drive, and I feel like it’ll teach me a lot about what I want to go into [since] I want to work with kids when I’m older,” Iacona said.
Junior Harli Habyan, who has known Iacona since the 6th grade, speaks on how they became friends.
“I met her in math class and we became friends because we liked K-pop,” Habyan said.
Though Habyan does not work with kids, she finds another common interest with Iacona.
“We both like Starbucks and we go on Starbucks runs together a lot. She’s a really fun person to be around,” Habyan said.
Saltis agrees, adding how Iacona “is like a ray of sunshine when she walks into the room.”
Saltis also speaks on Iacona’s faith, and how this might also affect her relationship with those around her.
“She’s a very God-given woman. She’s just the sweetest soul ever,” Saltis said.
Iacona shares her biggest piece of advice, which she takes to heart:
“I would say don’t let things hold you back, don’t let people hold you back. Go for what you love and definitely prepare for what you love as well. . . . Just surround yourself with people that love you and cherish you.”
Through her dedication to babysitting, coaching, and working with children, Iacona has built a strong foundation for her future career. Her passion for helping kids extends beyond just a job—it is a true calling that she hopes to continue pursuing. Whether through babysitting, psychology, or teaching, Iacona is determined to make a difference in the lives of children, one step at a time.
