Choosing the God Parents

The problem I am having, and I amnot due until April, is that the family members that aren't already a God Parent to my other kids never go to church and I certainly don't want them to be the God Parents. I was thinking of this lady in our church that has been really good to us but is it okay topick someone that is much older-grandmas age- where the child will out live them?

I would choose a close friend (if it's a couple it would need to be both) who has the same kinds of values as me and my husband. These god parents would be a separate couple from the potential guardians who would take the children in if my husband and I were to die however. What's that phrase? It takes a village?

In my (Irish) family it seems that we have always chosen godparents in a "one from your side" and "one from my side" way that is more of an obligated nod/honor to the people important to you than a conscious selection of a guardian for your children should something take you from them. Being a godparent in my family has always quite honestly meant that you need to be on top of all the gift occasions in your godchild's life. That said, I am very involved in my teenage goddaughter's life: we write to each other regularly and I know she knows I'm here for her---for more than just giftgiving. I'm very close to my aunt, and as godmother to my son (and mother to the godmother of my younger son!), she and my uncle are the only people I can ever imagine raising our children in our place. We should perhaps formailize this sentiment in a will... I wonder if being named a "godparent" has any legal weight?

I think it's okay to choose one person and not their spouse. I also think that asking the person if they would consider being the god parent to your child gives the person time to carefully reflect if this this a role they want to take on. Parents should share their expectations about how they want the god parent to be in their child's life. While it is a great honor to be asked to be a god parent, it's also a great responsibility, one that is not to be taken lightly. For me it's about being a presence in the child's life, someone she/he can turn to, someone who will take care of them should something happen to the parents (heaven forbid), and no other family members can assume the raising of the child.

I was asked to be the godparent of a dear friend's daughter. The issue: my friend is Catholic and I am not. Technically, since I'm not Catholic, I wasn't able to participate in the religious ritual that would make me an "official" godparent. My friends really wanted to choose me, as a close friend and someone who understood their philosophies about parenting to serve as a guardian in the event of a terrible event. I am still "Aunt Moni" and an honorary godmother, along with another dear friend who is honorary godfather (and not my husband!). I think parents should choose friends or family who they trust to carry on their wishes and philosophies, as well as someone who the children will know and love as close family friends.