God Parents Etiquette

[Blueroxie23]

Should the parents to be ask someone to  be Godparents or should the people in your life ask/express their desire for this very important title?  

[Blueroxie23]

Thanks everyone...guess it depends on you personal philosophy

[schenner2]

Where i am from you name people in a legal document who would care for your children in the event you and hubby both died or became legally incapable. So in that case i would say that you should definitely speak to the couple or person and ensure they would be willing and able as it is a big commitment.   If you are talking about basically a title (religious or not) of someone who is just going to spoil your baby a little more or who is Your close friend/relative, you could just ask someone who you think might want to do it.  

[mamichalke]

We asked ours. Also agree that the godparents are not automatically the . ones who would take care of the baby in the event of your and your husband's death. LOTS of time they are not spouses. You set up who would be responsible for kids in your legal documents.

[RockRose]

I think it depends on what is expected within your family.

In many families,  God parents aren't a couple - they are two individuals you name who you want to honor with a special place in your child's life.  Often that completely fades as friendships grow apart.

Sara has a different idea than in my family - we name guardians in the Will who will take care of the kids if we were to die early.  God parents are just a symbolic thing honoring a special friend or relative who will be at the baptism and give your baby special attention.  It's not a legal commitment.

[Blueroxie23]

I think the ultimate decision is up to the parents, but its such a funny topic you may think someone want the position and secretly they don't.

[Sara_Lee87]

It's up to the parents of the child to pick out the Godparents. The Godmother is the one who will raise the baby and guide it's spiritual/religious foundational upbringing in the tragic event the baby loses its birth parents. The Godfather takes the financial responsibilty for the baby.