Godparents for babies...Who?

well as most of you know, my sister had her baby at the beginning of the month, and I *think* they have decided on who to have for godparents. But her hubby says that godparents shouldn't be relatives of either one, and she says it doesn't really matter. My mom's sister is our godmother, so we are kind of like well does it really matter? Is there any particular method to choosing? He picked an older man to be the godfather (well, compared to us he is! He is only about 40 or 50ish) whereas (as far as I know) my sister picked me to be the godmother (I'm 24 in a month). Thanks for the input!

I don't have a any godparents but all of my friends that have them they are older non related people. Like my best friends Godmother is he mom's best friend from childhood, and her godfather is one of her dad's friends. Just my 2 cents

hhhmmm....just browsing around the net and thought I'd look it up, and there was one post where being a godparent is different than being a legal guardian should anything happen to the parents. Are godparents also legal guardians or are they just responsible for being a spiritual guardian as they said? (BTW, this is the site I was looking at: http://www.newmommie.com/showthread.php?t=2523)

"Oh, also for us, the honor of being a godparent is different from the designation as a legal guardian should anything happen to us.

So: Do (or will) your children have godparents? What does a godparent mean to you? And how does your religion/culture/beliefs play into your decision?"

My godparents are all relatives, one of whom was also my Mum's best friend from childhood. In my experience, it is not uncommon for godparents to be family members, but it's by no means a given. Trusted friends are just as common. To my mind, the critical issues in the choice are that the person be someone who can be trusted with the spiritual well-being of the child, and who can be expected to stay in the child's life.

Didn't see that last post when I wrote this, so I'll add a little. The role of godparent is that of spiritual guardian -- good term. Legal guardianship is a whole other matter. It would not be unusual to designate the same people, but it is not a given.

From what I understand a Godparent is for the spiritual guardian. Atleast that is what they were in my Friends life. Since my Legal gaurdian if my parents were to pass when I was little would have been my Aunt and Uncle. And I know I didn't have any Godparents, I don't think legal gaurdianship has anything to do with it. But like what Rapunzel said I feel it needs to be someone who is going to be there for the child for life and will help guide them spiritually.

So: Do (or will) your children have godparents? What does a godparent mean to you? And how does your religion/culture/beliefs play into your decision?"

Click to expand...

I will most likly choose Godparents for my children for the sole perpose of my children knowing that there is other adults beside mom and dad that are there for them. I am a Christian...not much a a church going one but still I belive that Jesus is my Savior. I know that when I choose someone to be a godparent I want it to be someone who is a kind gentle heart, intelligent, and mostly spirtual. Someone who has compassion, and understanding. Someone who won't turn my child away if they need a shoulder to cry on. Someone my child could trust with anything and everything. Maybe I am asking alot but I know it's possiable.

I don't have Godparents but all the people I know with Godparents are not related in anyway to their "godparents" just good friends of the family.

Just a question. If say 123's mother and father got killed, would 123 live with her godparents? even if they were not in the will?

Originally posted by WellingtonCats
I don't have Godparents but all the people I know with Godparents are not related in anyway to their "godparents" just good friends of the family.

Just a question. If say 123's mother and father got killed, would 123 live with her godparents? even if they were not in the will?

Click to expand...

There are no hard and fast rules.

The godparents might, in some ways, be a logical choice if nobody else had been specifically designated as legal guardian. They would presumably be people who have basically the same values as the parents, and who have the best interests of the child at heart.

It might be complicated, though, if there were more than one child, with different godparents. Presumably, the ideal would be to keep the kids together, so then, how do you choose who gets to be legal guardian? Another consideration is that the task one takes on as godparent is quite different from that of legal guardian. One might be very much in a position to offer the child spiritual nurture, but not at all in a position to take on day-to-day care and upbringing. Case in point: I was 14 when asked to be godmother to my niece -- OK for that task, if a little on the young side (my mother had reservations, but that only made my brother adamant!) but totally inappropriate for legal guardianship, should anything have happened to her parents.

I think my godmother is my aunt and my godfather is my uncle but I'm really not 100% on that. In my family it was just a title that needed to be filled. I don't think a lot of people take it too seriously (in general). It's sort of an outdated practice and is more a tradition that anything else, IMO.

In the Catholic sense, the godparent is the "spiritual" guardian. His/her role is to see to it his/her godchild receives the right Catholic training and education.So it is a requisite that the godparent be a Catholic.
I don't know though if this is strictly followed. When I asked my parents about the identity of my godparents, they were confused and could not really remember. Sheesh!

My godparents are an uncle and aunt. To my knowledge I don't think they would have also been my legal guardians had anything happened to my parents when I was younger. Good question who we would have gone to had something happened to our parents. My brother and I are now both in our thirties so it doesn't matter anymore.
My husband and I are godparents to my brother's daughter. None of us are real religious people, but I guess I see it as I am someone to look out for her and spoil her on holidays and birthdays!
We are childless by choice, it is as close to having a child as we will get.
My best friend recently asked my to be her new baby son's godmother. I have to say I am very honored.