Hello and Welcome to Carol Benton’s blog!
I have been a counselor with Au Pair in America since January 1994 and it
has truly been a wonderful journey.

Having two professions prior to joining APIA, I have found being a community counselor has indeed been the most rewarding. With my first degree in education and my second in accounting, being a counselor seems to be the perfect combination – working closely with young adults and host families with young children, helping guide them with education choices and planning various activities for au pairs that are reasonably priced.

As this is my full-time job, I try my best to help every host family by offering extra services that hopefully make participating in the Au Pair in America program easier and more meaningful. For new families and also current families who are in the process of matching, I offer a lot of assistance with the match process and during the year as well.

After the au pair arrives, each month we either gather at my home for a
cluster meeting (to discuss child care and safety issues and to give the au
pairs a chance to make friends quickly) or we have a social event or activity
planned.

I enjoy getting to know and helping the current au pairs and host families
in my cluster. Host families tell me what a wonderful cultural exchange
experience it is for their children and for them to have someone from another
culture/country living in their home and caring for their children.

I have stayed in touch with many au pairs over the years and I am so proud
when I hear of the wonderful achievements they have made upon returning
home….professional as well as personal.

Please feel free to contact me regarding the Au Pair in America
program.

Carol Benton: cbenton @ aupairinamerica. com