Becoming a god parent

[bank5]

A good friend of mine asked me to be the Godparent of their next daughter. I felt honored and immediately said yes. Then I wondered what my responsibilities would/should be. In your opinion, what sort of responsibilities should a Godparent uphold?

 

[yakers]

I'm not sure if being a God parent is anything but honorary for the last 100 years but it had been something like if the parents died or were incapacitated you would take the responsibility to raise the God child both religiously and physically as necessary.
Now it means wonderful attention from an Aunt & Uncle of mine and attention slathered on a nephew of mine. Its all good.

 

[Alan]

For us, Godparents always had the responsibility for the religious welfare of the godchild. It will very much depend on your circumstances and perceptions of what is required or expected as god-parenting is a very personal issue in my opinion and at least I would think that it would be expected that you be a mentor and guide to your godchild during his life, whether that be religious or not.

 

[FIREd]

I am a Godparent. Where I come from, the Godparents have 2 very important duties:

1) guide the Godchild: historically it was mostly religious guidance, but nowadays it's a bit broader.
2) become the Godchild's guardian if his/her parents die before the child reaches adulthood.

 

[W2R]

I am a Godparent. Where I come from, the Godparents have 2 very important duties:

1) guide the Godchild: historically it was mostly religious guidance, but nowadays it's a bit broader.
2) become the Godchild's guardian if his/her parents die before the child reaches adulthood.

Yes, this was the understanding in my family, too. Guidance was pretty minimal and not religious, but the child is expected to listen respectfully.

 

[traineeinvestor]

Yes, this was the understanding in my family, too. Guidance was pretty minimal and not religious, but the child is expected to listen respectfully.

Good luck with the "listen respectfully" part. The only time I get respectful listening from my god children is when I tell them what flavour ice creams are available.

 

[W2R]

Good luck with the "listen respectfully" part. The only time I get respectful listening from my god children is when I tell them what flavour ice creams are available.

Wow, ice cream? You sound like a terrific Godfather!

 

[traineeinvestor]

Wow, ice cream? You sound like a terrific Godfather!

Only from the perspective of the god children. The real parents have long since had cause to regret appointing me to the role.

 

[calmloki]

some years ago we were asked to be godparents for some neighbors' child - they were in the military and it was looking like they might both end up in the gulf. Kind of an honor, as we were not of the same religious bent as the parents - or married. They told us we were on tap to raise their child in the case of their demise vs family members. He went and returned, she hasn't yet gone; they are now divorced and the kid is an adult - contact is sparse and i feel our duty is moot. At the time we felt it was a pretty serious charge.

 

[Urchina]

+1 to what Alan said.

I would add that it certainly means that you have a more personal and involved relationship in this young person's life than you might for other relatives. For example, a friend of mine came to our wedding from overseas and brought her goddaughter with her as an 18th birthday present.

 

[Coach]

Twenty five years ago I was asked to be godfather to the daughter of some friends of my parents, acquaintances of mine. I accepted without really considering the situation or my responsibilities. The friendship between that couple and my parents waned; I didn't live close to the family and never even really got to know her. I regret that I accepted.

Coach