Tuesday, March 22, 2011

hmmm...

lately ive been thinking about how cool of a concept godparents are.

i didn't know a whole lot about the roles and obligations of godparents so i looked it up. here are some things i found--

*giving kids godparents is traditionally a catholic thing, although similar ideas can be found in other religions.

*it is not limited to catholics, or religion at all. anybody can give their child a godparent.

*the godparent is to help the child on their spiritual journey.

*the godparent is to pray for their godchild.

*the godparent is to take a special interest in the child, and they usually have a good bond.

*back in the day, when people more often died young or unexpectedly, they godparent would take care of the child if anything happened to the parents. being a godparent today does not automatically mean someone is bound to this, unless it is done legally.

*in the above situation, ^ it is expected that the godparents make sure the child is being well cared for if they are not doing it themselves.

*sometimes godparents and godchildren exchange gifts or cards on occasions such as birthdays, christmas, fathers day and mothers day.

*godparents are expected to be a good role model for the child.

*you want the godparent to have the same religious ideals as the natural parents.

*godparents are to act as sort of a "second set of parents" for the child.

wikipedia says,

"The modern view of a godparent tends to be an individual chosen by the parents to take an interest in the child's upbringing and personal development."

i read a few discussions online and some people kept in touch with their godparents and had very special bonds, and some didn't. either way they all agreed that it is always a positive thing for everyone involved.

one man said, ""For me, it was important that there was somebody outside my immediate family who had a special concern for me."

i was excited to learn all of this and i think it could be so beneficial for the child... so i decided i want my future kids to have godparents! but when i brought it up to mike he didn't like the idea because it's traditionally a catholic thing. i explained to him that it's not necessarily anymore, but he still doesn't like it.

kids aren't coming anytime soon but its just something ive been thinking about.

is it weird that i want our kids to have godparents even though we're lds? is it worth it trying to convince mike that we should? is it disrespectful to our religion, adopting another religions traditions?

what do you think friends??

5 comments:

  1. I have always wanted our kids to have god parents!! I love it.

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  2. I don't see anything wrong with it. It's a positive thing right? What's wrong with your child having an extra set of people who care about them? Maybe if it would make mike feel better you can call it something else hah i don't know but i don't think it's a bad thing. In fact!! We should be godparents to each other's young-lings. Maybe the mormon way of naming it is "saint-parents" or "mor-parents"?
    I don't know. Good thought Es.

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  3. I think it would be a neat opportunity for your child and the person you chose as the godparent. If you have a special relationship with someone you trusted enough to ask them to assume that role, then I think you should totally do it.

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  4. Hey Esther, our Ruby has a godmother. It's kind of a weird story, she actually self appointed herself my first born's godmother before I even got pregnant (we're like best friends, it's not some random girl), and I took it as a joke, but she takes it very seriously so why not?! She's catholic and we're obviously not but it's ok. She loves and adores Ruby and is always checking up on her and will send her things for special occasions. I say go for it!

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  5. I think its a wonderful idea!!

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