| | In the Family Way Discuss Godparents in the Swingin' Deals forums; I couldn't really answer the poll..
I am a Godparent 2 times over..which is kind of funny given my lack of religious leanings & the fact that GP's roles are ... |
View Poll Results: Are you a "godparent"? Do you have "godparents" for your children? | |
Yes, I am a godparent AND my children have godparents
|    | 15 | 36.59% | |
Yes, I am a godparent
|    | 5 | 12.20% | |
Yes, my children have godparents
|    | 10 | 24.39% | |
No, I am not a godparent and my children do not have godparents
|    | 11 | 26.83% |  | | | |   |  |
04-07-2009, 03:37:30 AM
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#12 |  |  | | Super Swapper August '09 TRADER SMOKIN'
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 548
| Re: Godparents Yes, I am a godparent AND my children have godparents
We made a choice based on who would be a good role model,
best influence
& the people we thought could be the best examples
of living our faith for our daughter.
I am so happy with the choices we made.
Some people pick their  friends....
Some people pick the people they think will give the child the best monetary gifts growing up...
I'm glad we chose the people that are capable of giving the gifts money can't buy!  |
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04-07-2009, 03:55:37 AM
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#13 |  |  | | TRADER SPARKING
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 431
| Re: Godparents
Originally Posted by tmsmalley Godparent means different things to different people. The traditional definition is religious. If you're Catholic, there are very specific requirements for who can and can't be a Godparent. In this day and age and this country, it can be tough to find good Catholic "qualified" godparents (not divorced, practicing, etc.). Their role is spiritual. They're to help the parents guide the child through life in the church. They're there for the baptism, may be involved with first communion, confirmation, etc. The idea is that they help the parents raise the child in the church and if the parents aren't able to do it themselves (death, incarceration, illness, whatever), they can step in and assist. Many other religions also have "Godparents" but generally aren't so strict about who can do it and all the rig-a-ma-role that Catholics have about it. There's also a secular "honorary" term of Godparent used by many people. It is just an honorary title however and doesn't mean anything. Remember, that whether it is a religious or secular or honorary title, naming a Godparent DOES NOT GRANT CUSTODY of your child to them in case of your death. You have to formally name someone as a guardian in your will. You can also name a financial guardian and a physical guardian if you know someone who would be great with your child but lousy with their money. Tess | She's right here. If you are Catholic, the Godparent is someone who will guide the child in the Catholic faith. NOT necessarily the person who would assume custody if anything were to happen to you (although it could be the same person, it is in my children's case). I cannot speak to what a Godparent's specific role is outside of the Catholic faith however I think it is less well defined and determined more by family tradition than any specific set of rules.
Regardless of your faith, it definitely seems out of line for someone to ask to be the Godparent (although, he obviously must care for your family a great deal and just wanted to express his love and support).
__________________ Wishlist~ Always happy to trade!
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04-07-2009, 03:18:49 PM
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#14 |  |  | | TRADER FLAMING
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,498
| Re: Godparents
Originally Posted by Cin42382 I have godparents, although I'm not 100% sure who they are. I am not a godparent myself, but I hope to have godparents for my child, although right now we have no idea who that will be. :( | For us it was a fairly easy decision, but that was because the people we chose were the only people we knew would take good care of our kids. If they had said no, or didn't want the responsibility of being godparents/guardians, DH and I would have been extremely nervous about anyone else we chose, so I know what you mean about not knowing who would be a good godparent.
Originally Posted by tmsmalley Godparent means different things to different people. The traditional definition is religious. If you're Catholic, there are very specific requirements for who can and can't be a Godparent. In this day and age and this country, it can be tough to find good Catholic "qualified" godparents (not divorced, practicing, etc.). Their role is spiritual. They're to help the parents guide the child through life in the church. They're there for the baptism, may be involved with first communion, confirmation, etc. The idea is that they help the parents raise the child in the church and if the parents aren't able to do it themselves (death, incarceration, illness, whatever), they can step in and assist. Many other religions also have "Godparents" but generally aren't so strict about who can do it and all the rig-a-ma-role that Catholics have about it. There's also a secular "honorary" term of Godparent used by many people. It is just an honorary title however and doesn't mean anything. Remember, that whether it is a religious or secular or honorary title, naming a Godparent DOES NOT GRANT CUSTODY of your child to them in case of your death. You have to formally name someone as a guardian in your will. You can also name a financial guardian and a physical guardian if you know someone who would be great with your child but lousy with their money. Tess | Hi Tess!  Yes, I know I have to name a guardian in my Will. DH and I are currently in the process of drawing up our Wills and will finalize them fairly soon after the baby is born, since our the chosen godparents have graciously agreed.
I kind of had to force DH to help me choose since he thinks the whole thing of choosing who will take care of your kids if you DIE is rather depressing (which it is). But knowing my background (both my parents died before I was 18 without making any provisions of who would care for me, so I was left with awful people) I really do not want to take the chance that something will happen to us and my kids will go through the same thing.
__________________ Proud mama of Caroline Wishes I send cat food coupons to a great animal charity, so any cat Q's in my envies are welcome!
Please PM me if I owe you feedback! I've done a lot of trading and some envies came with no HCW name, so I don't know who to leave feedback for! |
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04-10-2009, 02:52:30 PM
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#20 |  |  | | Finder of Lost Posts TRADER FORUM MODERATOR ENTREPRENEUR SUPER MODERATOR SCORCHING
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,132
| Re: Godparents Godparents and guardians are two different things.
One is responsible for the religious guidance of the child.
The other is a legal caretaker in the event of the parent's demise.
__________________ Larissa HCW Super Moderator Forum Moderator for In The Family Way, Sweeps & Upromise "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." Wishlist (Not currently trading) |
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