What would you do if you said yes, but then realized that being God Parent to the family's child was not best for you or them?

Yeah, I am going through that right now. And I may not go back on my "yes". But, I am not sure that my heart is in it to stay close to the baby's parents for 18 years. FYI, the baby will not be born until mid winter. ((and yes, I know it was stupid to say yes. But I don't know how I could have said no in the situation))

RedBedroom wrote:

What would you do if you said yes, but then realized that being God Parent to the family's child was not best for you or them?

Yeah, I am going through that right now. And I may not go back on my "yes". But, I am not sure that my heart is in it to stay close to the baby's parents for 18 years. FYI, the baby will not be born until mid winter. ((and yes, I know it was stupid to say yes. But I don't know how I could have said no in the situation))

I am godfather to 3 children in my family and one I don't ever see at all? Its not a firm commitment of any kind and usually if god forbid something happens to the parents, the family usually will pick up the slack. If you really don't want to do it then be honest and say that you don't think you can take on such a commitment at this point in your life. You also don't have to stay close to the people who are having the child either, how you handle it is up to you. I usually just acknowledge my godchildren on their birthdays and Christmas, during the rest of the year I see them at intervals and have minimal contact with their parents.

The thing with me is that I wouldn't be able to do anything but want to see her and be a part of her life. It is a huge deal to me because I have always wanted to be an official "auntie" but as an only child, and not officially married, I will never be auntie. I have two God Daughters, (since my early teens) and both are just over 18 now. So, this baby would be a big presence in my life because that is what I would shoot for. See, and because the mother and I used to be very close, she knows that, so I have to wonder if I was asked because she knows that I will buy nice gifts and babysit for free. That is a mean thing to accuse someone of, but I am not sure. It would have been easy to say no, but the mom-to-be's husband is a very big part of our lives. So, it is messy.

I didn't think being a godparent was that big of a deal. To me, it's just a fancy title to give to your best friend or whomever you're tight with when you have a baby. Are godparents really going to step in and raise your child if something should happen to you? Unless you make the legal provisions to do so, legally there are quite a few people that would have precedence over a 'godparent'. In any case RB, I don't think you should sweat it. You said yes, fuck it....buy a few gifts, send a few cards for the kid's birthday and let it be.

Nystyle709 wrote:

I didn't think being a godparent was that big of a deal. To me, it's just a fancy title to give to your best friend or whomever you're tight with when you have a baby. Are godparents really going to step in and raise your child if something should happen to you? Unless you make the legal provisions to do so, legally there are quite a few people that would have precedence over a 'godparent'. In any case RB, I don't think you should sweat it. You said yes, fuck it....buy a few gifts, send a few cards for the kid's birthday and let it be.

Yep. By and large "Godparent" is just a vanity title that your friends give you out of affection. If someone is killed, their kids will most likely go to their relatives.

If you haven't said "Yes" before God yet, you can easily go back. It's once you do it before him that you're stuck!