Your child’s christening is one of the most important life events you will share as a family – and the godparents you choose will play a big part in the day. Ultimately, they will be there to nurture your baby as it grows up and be a guiding force throughout their life. It’s not an easy decision as to who should step into the role, and it may take some discussions with your partner to determine who would be best.
If your baby is soon to be christened and you haven’t yet chosen godparents, this guide will give you some helpful tips to take on board:
- Someone that has your best interests at heart
Godparents should be people in your baby’s life that you cherish and have confidence will be there for your little one and you as a family. If you haven’t seen them for many years or have had hiccups in your relationship in the past, they may not be the most suitable people for the role.
They will ultimately play an important job in being a good role model for your child, as well as being happy to help you raise them and open up interesting conversations as they get older. With this in mind, you may want to consider choosing family members who will always be there for you and have your child’s interests at heart.
- Make sure they’re a positive influence
While you may have certain people in mind who you’re close to, will they be a positive influence on your child? Remember that your child learns from those they’re surrounded by. Therefore, you should be content that your godparents will be an influential figure in their life. If you have doubts, it’s likely to be the wrong choice. Some of the things you may want to ask yourself before making your decision include:
- Are they a caring person?
- Do you consider them as inspirational?
- Will they bring wisdom to your child’s life?
- Be clear with expectations
Ensure you’re clear with your potential godparents from the get-go as to what is expected of them and what their role entails. Some people may feel it is a huge responsibility and turn down the offer out of nerves. Others may feel as though they aren’t the right person to take on such a position. Try not to be offended if this occurs. Listen and hear their concerns, and you may be able to change their mind with a gentle discussion.
It’s wise to be clear from the start about what being a godparent means. Should they accept, you’ll know they’re genuine. As it’s quite a responsibility to take on, you can say ‘thank you’ with garden gifts that they’ll cherish and allow them to remember the special day.
Don’t be guilt-tripped into your decision
Don’t feel pressured into choosing best friends or close family members as your child’s godparents. It’s a very important decision that should be made by both you and your partner, rather than who others expect you to ask.
