Viral: Single dad adopts abandoned kids because he relates to them

single dad adopts kids

By Veronica Chan , Parent Herald Jul 13, 11:27 pm

At the beginning of the year, Peter Mutabazi went viral because of his adoption journey. He opens his home as a haven to the many foster care children after growing up in an unstable environment. His father abused him and his siblings. As the oldest, he had to be a parent at a very young age to protect his siblings.

His childhood experience shaped his unique perspective about foster children. His yearnings to become a foster parent came from understanding children who did not have anyone to rely on in times of need.

Mutabazi lived in Uganda as a child. When he came to the US, he was shocked by so many things, including the many foods. He remembered that kids in his village and country would do anything to have just a bowl of rice.

He also realized that many kids in the US foster care system do not have anywhere to go. This realization was the start of his urge to parent.

(Photo : Instagram/fosterdadflipper)

Adoption journey

Goalcast reports that before his adoption journey started, Mutabazi struggled because he was afraid that his childhood traumas might resurface. The first step he did was attend training to be aware of how to respond to the kids.

After that, he was called to shelter a child, but he still battled with doubt and uncertainty. Everything went well, and he emphasized the role of friends in his journey as a parent.

Emotional toll hit him

Mutabazi felt the emotional toll on him after the 11 foster children he took in to his home. He said that he is crushed into pieces after the 11 children went back to their homes. He felt like a part of him us being taken away because he had to say goodbye after loving and caring for them.

After the eleventh child went, he was determined not to be attached to the next one, Anthony. At first, the foster dad did not think he would be concerned about the child, but he found himself wanting to become Anthony's dad after hearing that this boy's story is the same as his.

An unconventional family that works

Mutabazi thought foster children would look for a female parent, but it turns out that a single dad filled a special place in the kids' hearts. He found that being a male has his perks because most children long for a dad.

As a black man, he had to teach his children how discrimination affects him. He has taught his 13 children what to do to protect him whenever he could not. He knew that it was hard for his children, but they had to accept it.

Pandemic expanded his family

The single dad received a call about a seven-year-old who had nowhere to go during the lockdown. At first, he was afraid to open his home amid the pandemic, but he did. With the daycares closed, he had the opportunity to have the kid every day so they bonded more.

Mutabazi has learned a lot from becoming a foster parent. He has learned how much he needs hugs and to value the small moments. He is planning on bringing Anthony on a trip to Uganda because that is where his story started.

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