Official definition from the church: someone "who will help the baptized to lead a Christian life in harmony with baptism, and to fulfill faithfully the obligations connected with it"
Ideally we'd have a Catholic one and a Presbyterian one. So they can each help us to pass down our faith.
In reality it is difficult to find a godparents who matches our desires for our kid.
Here is a description of what I would like for a godfather/godmother to be:
-someone who will be present in the child's life. Seeing each other at least once a year. Sending cards for Christmas and Easter, and Name's day or birthdays..
-someone who has a solid spiritual life, knowledgeable about their beliefs. Willing to talk about faith with a growing kid. Maybe giving religious gifts such as a Bible, an icon, a spiritual book...
-someone who is involved in the community, in their family, in their church, to be a role model when the time comes.
-One more role I think very important would be during teenagehood. I'd like a god parent to get more involved at this point, to help answer the youth questions and give him/her direction at a time when she/he will not want to talk with mom and dad.
What I don't expect from a Godparent:
-being the tutor if we were to both pass away.
First of all I hope for several kids, and for them to be raised together! I'd rather choose someone the kids know well and who lives nearby... we'll see.
And simply it's not what the godparent signs for.
-giving money and toys.
Money can be great around teenagehood, but I'd rather the godparent take my kid for a week in their house and do something together!
Toys, please no!
For now we know the godmother will be my sister. It's a family tradition I guess. I don't really question it. She is clearly not practicing, BUT I think she will be a good godmother according to most of my criteria anyway..
For the godfather we don't know yet. We don't know enough Presbyterian guys, or not well enough to ask.. The plan would be to start attending a protestant church around here, and meeting with people from the "parish", and we'll see by July if we have anyone in mind..
Otherwise I don't mind if there is only one godparent for now. I suppose we can always ask the pastor to advice someone. Or we could also wait for the confirmation..
1 comment:
I was interested to read this, because my husband and I also talk sometimes about who would be our children's godparents. He would like a married couple to do it together, I would like it to be someone outside of the family (my two Protestant brothers might be jealous if his two Catholic brothers were godparents and they weren't), and we have few Catholic friends - none of which meet our requirements! Anyway, I completely agree with what you're looking for (and not looking for) in godparents! And I think it's good to state those expectations going in :) Good luck finding a godfather!
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