OK so I know this isn't wedding related (already married) but there is not a Catholic board anywhere on the Bump or the Nest so I figured I would give this a shot. Anyway here is my annoyance. I am almost out of my first trimester (yay). This is the first grandchild for both sides so everyone is very excited! Since telling my parents about the pregnancy the subject of godparents has been brought up multiple times. My mother insists that the godparents be family. and gets practically irate when I bring up the possiblity of choosing outside the family.
It is my understanding that godparents "jobs" are to help with the spiritual guidence and upbringing of the child. Its not the person that would get the baby if something god forbide happened to myself and my H.
Dh does not have siblings, I have 2 sisters. My 1 sister is married but lives in Europe. would not be here when we baptize the baby and in all reality would probably never have any significant relationship with him/her because she comes to visit only every few years. My other sister is 19. And NOT religious at all. Her main focus in life is sleeping, drinking, and popping pills. Not exactly who I would choose for my child to role model themselves after.
So my question is does the godparent have to be family? Would it be so bad if I chose a close Catholic friend? I am so sick of having the conversation and I am mostly irritated because its not like it is something that needs to be decided now. I don't want to offend my mother or my sisters by not choosing them but I feel like they will be the baby's aunts no matter what so why not have one more person that loves and looks after our son/daughter.
Sorry this was long. Any advice would be truly appreciated. Have a wonderful week!
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