Episode 144: Encouragement for Children Who are Adopted and in Foster Care

Imagine not being given a name until you were two years old. Imagine living in constant fear of your father, whom you knew might literally kill you at any moment, for any reason. Imagine becoming a street kid at the tender age of four, after running away from your abusive home life. Imagine having to steal scraps of food, and no one knowing your name. How does one survive such a childhood? This is the extraordinary story of Peter Mutabazi, a surviving street kid who didn’t even think about the future beyond where his next meal would come from, yet eventually became an entrepreneur and the founder of Now I Am Known, a grassroots coalition focused on adoption and foster care. A single dad, Peter has fostered many children in his home through the years. He understands what it’s like to have no father in his life, to be abused, to have no food.. he knows what it means to be neglected. With this personal experience, it’s easy for Peter to relate to foster children, and to help them through their trauma. Listen in as Peter shares with Dr. Meg how he went from being a homeless street kid to a thriving entrepreneur and foster parent -- all because a caring stranger took notice of him, called him by name, fed him, gave him the chance to attend school, and ultimately changed the trajectory of his life. Peter refuses to allow bitterness to keep him from a bright future. He has been given much, and wants to give back much in return. In Peter’s own words, “I can not change the past, but I can change tomorrow.” His goal is to bring love and acceptance to foster children in the very same way that he himself received it. Every parent -- biological, foster or adoptive -- will benefit greatly from this powerful conversation by learning how to show their children that they are valued, seen, loved and known. WELCOME A CONVERSATION WITH DR MEG (PART 1) Dr. Meg welcomes guest Peter Mutabazi, a surviving street kid, foster dad, single father, entrepreneur, and founder of Now I Am Known, a grassroots coalition focused on adoption and foster care. BREAK A CONVERSATION WITH DR MEG (PART 2) Dr. Meg continues her conversation with guest Peter Mutabazi, a surviving street kid, foster dad, single father, entrepreneur, and founder of Now I Am Known, a grassroots coalition focused on adoption and foster care. IN CLOSING Dr. Meg ended the conversation by saying she would like to have Peter back on the show, and asked how listeners can connect with him to find out more about his initiative and the work that he is doing (website: www.nowiamknown.com; Facebook: Peter Mutabazi; Instagram: @fosterdadflipper). FROM THE PRODUCER Thanks for listening to Episode 144, NOW I AM KNOWN, and for helping Dr. Meg’s parenting revolution reach over SIX MILLION downloads! Subscribe, rate, and leave a review for us on iTunes! Get Social with Dr. Meg on Facebook, and Instagram @MegMeekerMD. Check out what’s new at meekerparenting.com, and while you are there subscribe to the Parenting Great Kids Community, where you’ll have access to all of Dr. Meg’s parenting courses, her Ask Dr. Meg video library, and new features we'll be rolling out soon. Also, in this community you’ll get a lot of support from parents just like you! Go to Meeker Parenting dot com for more information. Don’t forget to share the podcast with other parents, subscribe so you won’t miss anything, and give us a review so we know how we’re doing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices