Choosing a godparent for your child is an important decision, because the person you choose will be responsible for providing guidance and life lessons to your child. The person you choose as a godparent will have a significant role in your child's life. With the proper thought and research, you will be able to find the best choice of godparent for your child.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Finding a Godparent Based on Your Values
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Find someone with similar morals and ethics. Make a list of values that are important to you and choose someone whose values are similar to your own. This will provide your child with a consistent positive influence and moral compass that aligns with the core values you're trying to instill. These core values could include: [1] X Research source
- Religious beliefs
- Family values
- Fundamental purpose of life
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Look for someone who teaches good life lessons. Part of being a godparent is to help guide the child through life. Find a person that you know who is a natural teacher, someone that can easily teach your child. Lessons might include everything from how to tie your shoes to how to deal with making mistakes.
- Watch how your child interacts with potential godparents and note how they get along.
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Ask someone who is willing to be a guardian. A godparent can do more than just be a guiding figure in the child’s life. If you are worried about what would happen to your child after your death, find someone who is willing to legally become their godparent and guardian. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Choosing a Godparent With Logistics in Mind
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Look within your family. Consider choosing a godparent from within your family, like a sibling or cousin. There could be a stronger bond between your child and the godparent if the two are from the same family. Also, the child will potentially see the godparent more regularly at family functions.
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Choose a godparent that is geographically close. It's important to choose a godparent that will get to see and interact with your child on a regular basis, because this will allow the godparent to provide leadership and guidance to your child. It will also help create a stronger relationship between the godparent and the child. [3] X Research source
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Select someone dependable. The godparent you choose should be someone with a relatively stable life and strong sense of personal responsibility that can be counted on to attend important functions like baptisms and graduations and to interact with the child often. [4] X Research sourceAdvertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Seeking Advice
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Talk with your spouse. The choice of a godparent is not yours alone. To begin the decision process, sit down with your significant other and talk through what you both want in a godparent and any people they may have in mind.
- Make a list of potential godparents and discuss the reasons for selecting each person.
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Ask your clergy leader for advice. Discuss the selection of a godparent with your minister or clergy leader. The clergy leader will be able to help you determine what characteristics are most important in the godparent you choose.
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Find friends that have chosen godparents. This is a good way to get firsthand advice on how to choose a godparent. Ask the person to explain their thought process and what the deciding factors were when choosing a godparent for their child. Also compare what you’re looking for in a godparent to what they were looking for.Advertisement
Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan the godparents be one person and not married just has sacraments?Catherine Palomino is a former Childcare Center Director in New York. She received her MS in Elementary Education from CUNY Brooklyn College in 2010.This question is best for your local religious institution or representative, as different locations and religions would have differing requirements.
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QuestionCan you have two sets of Godparents for one child?Catherine Palomino is a former Childcare Center Director in New York. She received her MS in Elementary Education from CUNY Brooklyn College in 2010.This question is best for your local religious institution or representative, as different locations and religions would have differing requirements.
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QuestionDo both godparents have to be practicing Catholics?Community AnswerNot necessarily. It depends on the strength of the parents' beliefs.
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Tips
- If you cannot decide on an individual person then it is okay to choose a group of people to be the godparents. For example, a friend and their spouse. [5] X Research sourceThanks
- Being a godparent can be a large responsibility for some. If you ask someone and they decline, make sure to have some other choices in mind.Thanks
- Don’t feel guilty if you do not choose a friend or family member that was set on being the godparent. This in an important decision and the choice should be made carefully to find the best person for your child.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://wehavekids.com/family-relationships/How-to-Select-a-Godparent
- ↑ https://wehavekids.com/family-relationships/How-to-Select-a-Godparent
- ↑ http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/baby/life-with-a-baby/a-guide-to-choosing-godparents-20140312-34lpn
- ↑ http://www.beliefnet.com/love-family/2000/10/what-good-are-godparents.aspx
- ↑ http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/baby/life-with-a-baby/a-guide-to-choosing-godparents-20140312-34lpn
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