godparent duties

lily_721

SS2 has two of the most amazing godparents.  They are involved in his life and truly take an interest in him as a person.  SS1's godparents are his aunt and uncle -- they are perfectly fine but nothing special or extra. 

DH is godfather for two nieces.  I want us to be the same kind of amazing that SS2 has experienced but at the same time, I know SS1 will never get the same treatment.

I try to be 100% equal for all the children (nieces, nephews).  Will it seem unfair or sad to the other children if we do extra for our goddaughters? 

nic326

Not sure what you mean. Godparents are named for faith based reasons so I am trying to figure out how you would give them preference over other kids. KWIM?

Kadyra

Godparents were originally faith-based but they aren't always. My godparents (I had two sets) were family friends and an aunt and uncle. None of them did anything extra. They would have taken care if me if something happened to my parents. That's it. I know them all well if course. For DS, good friends of ours are his godparents. They buy him birthday and Christmas gifts but font do anything special. I wouldn't expect them to, as they have their own lives. They are friends, so they will be a part of DS's life no matter what. :shrugs:

EastCoastBride

Well, I see the role of a godparent as faith based role, and as others said - it's about helping guide that child's faith.

If you make it about spending extra time w/ them or buying extra nice gifts, then yes, I feel that the other kids may notice and feel slighted.

It's great that you want to have a good relationship w/ them, but what if your DH wasn't the godfather?  How would you approach it?

If anything, I feel you should talk to the parents and find out what exactly it means to THEM that he is the godfather.  How do they see that role and how do they want him to fill it? 

I don't know that being a godparent means that those 2 girls should get "extra special" treatment from you that doesn't fall under the scope of helping guide their faith.

littlemermaid

Since his Godchildren are his nieces he already has an important role as an Uncle to them.  Godparents are to help the parents' guide the child in their faith.   I think since he's already an Uncle to them he shouldn't treat them anymore special than any other nieces or nephews he may have.   Now if he want's to plaly a bigger role in their faith and go to church with them on occasion, make sure he attends all of their religious sacraments that is definitely something a Godparent should do.