Your child's baptism is an event that signifies a lot. While baptisms are common in all denominations in Christianity, infant baptism is typically seen in the Catholic faith. Most Catholics believe that being baptized is necessary for salvation. When you have an infant baptism, it is typical to choose godparents during this time. This is an important event, because you will be choosing the person or couple who will be taking your children under their care in the unfortunate event that you and your spouse pass away unexpectedly. Not only that, but godparents will likely be very involved in your child's life, so you don't want to make this decision lightly.
Make a List
One of the first things you should do when trying to find the right godparents is make a list of all the possible prospects. You may include siblings, parents, or close friends who you feel would be good parents to your children if something were to happen to you. When you make a list, you will have a good starting point for finding the right godparents. Under each name on the list, you may want to jot down a couple of thoughts about why you think they would make good godparents.
Make Sure They Are Willing
You don't want to choose godparents only to find out later that they don't want the job. After all, being godparents is a huge responsibility, so you shouldn't assume they will say yes. Go through each name on your list and think about how likely it is he or she will want to be involved in the important events of your children's' lives, and think about whether or not the person will be able to handle the responsibility of raising children if the unthinkable happened.
Financial Stability
While a person's financial status certainly shouldn't be your deciding factor when choosing the right godparents, it should be something you consider. Raising a child is expensive, and even though it's very unlikely that the godparents will wind up raising your child, you still want to make sure they will be able to handle it financially. Being good with a budget is just as important as making enough money, so your friends who are practical with their funds and spend them wisely may be a better choice than your friends who have a lot of money but blow it on unnecessary items.
Consider a Family Member
While the godparents can be anyone, you might want to consider choosing a family member. There are a couple of reasons you should consider this:
- Children are more likely to feel a closer bond with people who are already in their family.
- They will likely see their godparents often at family functions.
- Since they are in the same family, things won't change for them as much if something were to happen to you.
Consider Your Values
Think about what you want your child to be taught as he or she grows up. If there are certain values and morals that are important to you, then you should find someone who has the same ideas. This will help ensure your child is raised the way you want him or her to be raised.
Ask Them
Of course, once you have decided the persons or couple who will be your child's godparents, it's important to ask them if they are comfortable with the idea. Remember, there's no guarantee they will say yes, so it may not be a bad idea to have a backup on hand just in case your original choice isn't up for the job.
Asking someone to be a godparent is a huge decision, and it's important to think things through before making your final choice. Be sure to discuss it with your spouse so you find godparents both of you are comfortable with.
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