They made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

[doubleohfive]

Some of you may know my best friend, formerly of this board as donkey. About a half hour ago I was awoken to a text, then email that he and his wife had welcomed their third daughter, a healthy (and beautiful!!) baby girl to their family this morning.

Months ago, I'd called to say hi and catch up. I'd known they were expecting, but it was a supreme honor to be asked to be the godfather of their new child once he/she was born. Of course I accepted.

So now I find myself scouring wikipedia and google to learn all about what will be expected of me and such... Being that I am in California and they are in New York makes for an interesting dynamic, but I just wanted to share the happy news.

Are any of you godparents? If so, to what extent? What do you generally do for your godchildren, or more accurately, what is expected of you?

[Pingfah]

I am a godparent to my nephew Lewis, although I had actually forgotten until my sister reminded me, I tend to block out all memory of religious events.

It's not a fair question what I do for him though, as he is my nephew as well, so I do uncle-like things for him already. Were anything to happen to his parents, science forbid, I would have stepped in godfather or not.

Oh, and I met Donkey in New York once, nice guy!

[doubleohfive]

Pingfaaaaaarrrgghh wrote:

---

I am a godparent to my nephew Lewis, although I had actually forgotten until my sister reminded me, I tend to block out all memory of religious events.

It's not a fair question what I do for him though, as he is my nephew as well, so I do uncle-like things for him already. Were anything to happen to his parents, science forbid, I would have stepped in godfather or not.

That's awesome, and pretty much how I've felt about his two other kids. Granted, there's no shortage of family on either side in their family, but I've known donkey most of my life so we may as well be brothers.

Oh, and I met Donkey in New York once, nice guy!

I think that was in '06 or '07? I remember he called me up while I was home for the holidays and wanted me to come up to NY from DC to join you guys! I still regret that I didn't find a way to make that work out!

[Robert Maxwell]

donkey is a cool dude, and his wife is very nice. Congratulations to both of them, as well as you, 005.

[Jeff O'Connor]

Congrats.

[RoJoHen]

I am a godfather, and as far as I know, nothing is expected of me.

[Finn]

I'm the god father for one of my cousins. I was eleven. His mother is my godmother.

[1001001]

I have three godchildren. In our family, that is taken fairly seriously. There's a big ol' process to go through with the church, and the ceremony itself is a pretty big deal.

I always remember birthdays, and always send Christmas cards (they all live in other cities). Two are grown and I have always made special efforts when I go home to see them and do something with them. I took my oldest goddaughter to the USC/Texas National Championship Game, for example.

My youngest just turned four, and I delight in buying her the noisiest, most obnoxious toys I can find. Her father is my best friend, so naturally I like to see him suffer. Her last birthday, it was a drum kit.

[TheBrew]

You are evil!

I would say be like an Uncle. Send cards and birthday/holiday presents.

[iguana_tonante]

My godfather was a cousin of my mother. Nothing was expected of him, except maybe a present for my birthday when I was a kid. For sure, he was never expected to care for my "spiritual upbringing".

I'm sure you will manage.

[JohnChod]

Depending on your religious persuasion, if you have any particular religious leanings, there can be some things you will have to do "church-wise." For Catholics, for example, Godparents are "supposed" to step in as guides "in the faith" if the parents are failing at it miserably!

Historically, I understand that Godparents and, in the event of the parents' death, potential guardians, were one and the same. That is not usually the case anymore and Godparents seem to have become almost more of an honorarium for the designee rather than an imparting of responsibility for the child.

Whether related bloodwise or not, I would think that behaving as an Uncle with the Godchild as the "most favored" niece (or nephew, as the gender may dictate in other cases) is acceptable.

[ares93]

i havent even met my godfather in 14-15 years. he simply disappeared when i was a like four. maybe he went back to ethiopia. nobody knows... frankly, if that's the case, i not even sure he's still alive...

[ShamelessMcBundy]

I actually am a godparent, to my friend's son. Her and i have been through a lot together and when times were tough for her, it was me that kept her sane and pulled her out of those holes. Whenever i go over and see them, it seems that i'm the only one that can get the kid to listen.

[ManOnTheWave]

I am a Godfather. Like others have said, nothing more is expected of me than if I were still just an Uncle or friend of the family. I do delight in getting him and his little brother toys and clothes for birthdays and Christmases, sharing experiences like Trick or Treating, and just generally playing with him and watching him grow up.

[Shatnertage]

Congratulations!

I'm an honorary godfather. My wife's cousin's eleven year-old son, who my wife is godmother to, decided he didn't like the godfather he'd been given (this was years before I was in the picture). Apparently GF's daughter, who is six, told godson to "go eff himself." When he complained to GF, all he got was, "Maybe you should" and a laugh. So he fired him and hired me.

Moral of the story? From my experience, don't let anyone tell the kid to "go eff themselves." Besides that, it's anyone's guess.