God Parent for Your Child?

Yes, if a Catholic is fallowing the faith, they do view this very differently. God Parents are saying that if the child isn't being properly brought up in the faith the God Parents are responsible for filling in. The baptism is the First of seven sacraments and all other sacraments require baptism. Through baptism we become children of God and heirs of his kingdom. To a Catholic it is extremely important. A God parent in the Catholic Church must be in good standing in the Church. They must be following Church teaching and attending Mass regularly. I take my job as God Parent very seriously. I pray for my God Children daily and keep in contact with them at least monthly.

Godparents are supposed to help the child develop a relationship and grow closer to God. You should be choosing people who you feel will help your child with his or her spiritual or religious development. If you pass, the Godparents are responsible for helping the child through his or her religious journey through life (religious mentors).

As for someone who will be raising your child if you pass, that is something that many people lump in with Godparents, but it is not something that is an automatic. If you wish the Godparents to take on this responsibility, this needs to be made clear when you ask the lucky couple and go through the legal channels to have this drawn up. As a matter of fact, I would discuss the issue whether you want them to care for your child or not, that way there is no confusion.

FYI- I am a Catholic form a very religious family, and we do not think of Godparents as caretaker in case of death. My best friend is not a Catholic, but is of another Christian sect and she has grown up thinking that Godparents are there not only for spiritual guidance, but to care for the child after death. While there might be some Christian sects that have this as a rule, I think it is more something that is a family tradition.

Catholic Godparents accept the responsibility of helping the parents guide the child through a life of Faith.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

:)

Catholic god parents are the ones that are supposed to teach the children about religion. God parents of any faith are not who takes custody of the children if something happens to the parents, that is what a will is for.

I think every person has different ideas about this, not just every religion. Some will take it seriously, others will not. My godparents were an aunt and uncle, and still get me a christmas/birthday gift every year, even though i am 34! my sister's godparents have never done anything for her more than myself. we always joke that i got the good ones!

we are also considering godparents for our 2nd child. for my first, we chose a couple friend of my husbands (and now mine). they haven't really said anything about it or done anything as far as her faith growth. my sister (the only aunt to our children) feels a bit offended that we have not chosen her for either child, but she is not a Christian. Even so, to her it's more sentimental, like an honor. I would like to choose Christians who will help to build her up in her faith. but, because many see this as just a sentimental thing, most don't carry it out much past infancy.

if i were chosen as a godparent, i this is what i would do, and will hope that my children's godparents do:
pray for the child, remind him/her of their baptism yearly through a card or letter. give occasional christian gifts at their level, such as a children's bible, dvd, christian books, etc. i might also send occasional notes reminding him/her that I am praying for their faith.

I'm a "dyed in the wool" Catholic. God parents are NOT Guardians... one is spiritual, the other is a legal designation. In my son's case, they are the same (my sister and BIL). For my daughter, they are not (my other sister and my husband's best friend).

My kids Godparents are my siblings, one of my brother's ex girlfriends (who is like a sister to me and my whole family - her and my brother are great friends), and my husband's good friend.

I view them as people who are a little bit closer with each kid. I wouldn't separate my kids if anything happened to my husband and I.

So I think Godparents are supposed to help with the relationship with God, and while I go to church with my kids more weeks than not, that's not how I view the roles of their Godparents. If that makes sense.

I think it depends. I was raised Catholic and my mom's family is Italian so they were pretty hardcore. But my godmother was just a family member who was a little closer to me than the others... she didn't try to do any religious type stuff with me. But your friends may understand their duties differently. If you choose them, I would just be clear upfront what you mean by "godparents."

We chose my son's godparents with the intention that if we died he would go into their care.

god parents do not equal guardians. God parents are there to provide spiritual/faith guidance.

We have god parents for both our boys and are god parents to our friends child- we chose who we did because we believe they will raise our children with the same values as we would. Choose someone who knows you well that would mimic your parenting style- Our friends are just like us sports fans- good humor- loving caring people.

I was raised Catholic, but I don't practice anymore. My kids do, however, have Godparents. Our idea is both them being a positive influence AND someone who would help raise our kids if we passed.

Our best friends are like us, not religious, but it was important that our children have Godparents. When we asked them to be our 3rds Godparents, they said they'd do it... if they could be Godparents to the older 2 as well. (We ALL cried)...

Every person sees it differently. Catholics are usually sticklers, so maybe ask beat around the bush questions to see what your friends views are on this, and see if it will work for your situation.

Best wishes!

The term God-parent is used both inside the Catholic faith as well as outside that community, and the definition of how it is being used comes from the parents and the person that honor is being bestowed upon. Our not Catholic daughter's God-father is one of our dearest best friends (also not Catholic), and the two of them have a very special relationship. She was his Flower Girl, she refers to him as Uncle and he refers to her as his Secular God Daughter.

Bottom line talk, communicate and do what is right for your family.

My kids don't have Godparents. I was raised Catholic, then converted to Lutheran, and last year converted again, and we attend an inter-denominational church with baptist roots. I won't select a godparent for our third child either (should we be blessed with a third) because I don't see the point. But that's just my opinion. If you have a strong individual who will actually assume the role correctly, by all means go for it! If not, what's the point?