Why Foster Parents Need a Flexible Schedule

Foster Parents need a flexible work schedule

At CCR, the children referred to us often carry deep emotional wounds from complex trauma. Many have endured prolonged neglect, physical or sexual abuse, or multiple foster care placements. These early experiences can impact how they express emotions, form relationships, and respond to daily challenges. Because of this, fostering with CCR goes beyond basic care—it requires patience, presence, and a higher level of support. That’s why having a flexible schedule isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.

Kids in foster care require a stable, structured home

When children grow up without safety, predictability, or stability, it affects every part of their development—emotionally, physically, and neurologically. Their brains adapt to survive in chaotic or unsafe environments, which can cause long-term challenges in how they relate to others, handle stress, and manage their emotions.

What happens to kids without safety, predictability, or stability

• They stay in survival mode. Their brains are wired to expect danger, so they may constantly be on edge, hypervigilant, or easily triggered.
• They struggle to trust. When parents or caregivers are inconsistent, abusive, or absent, children learn that adults can’t be trusted—so even when someone safe comes along, they may push them away or act out.
• They don’t learn how to regulate emotions. Without stable parents/caregivers to model and teach self-regulation, they may have extreme emotional responses (e.g., screaming, shutting down, aggression).
• They feel powerless and out of control. This can lead to controlling behavior, defiance, or withdrawal as a way to protect themselves.

What are some behaviors of kids in foster care?

Once a child with this kind of history enters foster care—even a safe, loving home—it doesn't mean they immediately feel secure or start to heal. In fact, their behavior may get more intense at first. Having foster parents present during non-school hours is critical. Here's what it often looks like:

• Testing boundaries. They may push limits to see if the foster parent will leave, yell, or give up—because that’s what they’re used to.
• Emotional outbursts or shutdowns. Their reactions may seem “over the top,” but they’re often based on fear, not defiance.
• Difficulty with transitions. Changes in routine, school, or caregivers can cause big emotional reactions, even if they seem minor.
• Fear of attachment. As they start to connect with a foster parent, fear of abandonment may increase, causing them to sabotage the relationship or pull away.
• Regression. Older children might revert to behaviors typical of much younger kids—as a sign they’re seeking care they missed earlier in life.

Healing Takes Time, Presence, and Patience

The good news? With consistent, emotionally available, and flexible foster parents, children can begin to heal. They need adults who will show up, stay calm, and keep showing up, especially when it’s hard. CCR foster parents play a crucial role in rebuilding a child’s sense of safety, trust, and belonging—but it takes time and a willingness to understand trauma responses, not take behaviors personally, and stay emotionally regulated themselves.

Being available during a crisis, for unplanned interuptions, or changes to a schedule are crucial.

Emotional and behavioral challenges can be unpredictable. A child may be fine one moment and in crisis the next. Foster parents need to be able to stop what they’re doing, provide supervision, and offer calm, supportive care. That level of responsiveness simply isn’t possible with a rigid work schedule. Do CCR foster parents work? Of course, but their schedules offer flexibility to meet the higher needs of the kids in their care.

Appointments and commitments can add up for foster parents

CCR foster parents take on more than just daily care. They must be ready to:

• Schedule and drive kids to therapy appointments, often weekly
• Be available for school meetings, medical appointments, and unplanned interuptions
• Participate in weekly home visits with their case manager
• Transport kids to and from visits with biological family members
• Be home when kids are out of school, on breaks, or not involved in structured activities

These commitments are not optional—they’re part of what helps a child heal and grow. And they require time and availability that can’t be squeezed into an 8–9 hour work day with limited flexibility.

Adult supervision is required

Children with trauma histories need more supervision—not because they’re “bad,” but because they’re learning how to feel safe and regulate their emotions, often for the first time. That learning process is not quick, and it doesn’t always fit neatly into a lunch break or after-school schedule. Being present during these moments is how our foster parents build trust and teach safety.

Working from home isn’t always a solution

We’re often asked if working from home is enough. Sometimes, yes it is, sometimes, it isn't. Even if foster parents are physically present, remote work still requires focus and attention that takes away from the supervision and emotional presence the child needs. The distractions of work can leave a foster child feeling unseen—or even unsafe—which can lead to more challenging behaviors.

What kind of work schedules do successful CCR foster parents have?

Many CCR foster parents do work, but they’ve found ways to make their schedules flexible. Some have part-time jobs. Others have supportive employers or run their own businesses with adjustable hours. Some couples offer different work hours so a parent is home before and after school. Many single foster parents work in a school, are self-employed, or work similar hours to a school schedule. What matters most is that foster parents are available when the child needs them—not just on paper, but in practice.

Utilizing daycare and leaving kids unsupervised

Daycare is an option for younger kids that would be successful in a daycare setting. If foster parents are working fulltime, CCR often supports the use of daycare and the state will pay for the daycare if the facility participates in the Wisconsin Shares program. Leaving a foster child of any age unsupervised is never recommended. Prioritizing the child's safety and well-being is essential. Before and after school, and breaks from school will require adult supervision. 

Being a foster parent might be the best "work" you've ever done! 

Being present, flexible, and responsive makes all the difference to a child who has never had that before. If you’re considering becoming a foster parent, ask yourself: Can I create the space and flexibility in my life to show up for a child who’s never had someone stay?

Because at CCR, that’s what our kids need most. We would love to talk with you. Please contact us when you're ready to learn more.