Godparents

Godparents are a funny thing. Wikipedia defines them as: someone who bears witness to a child's baptism, although the term has also been used in a legal sense. In both religious and civil views, a godparent tends to be an individual chosen by the parents to take an interest in the child's upbringing and personal development, and to take care of the child should anything happen to the parents.

I am Godparent to three little boys, personally, and as a mother of two, my children have Godparents. 

At the time that these children are born, it tends to be an emotional appointment, somebody who either means a lot to you, or somebody who you feel obligated to appoint. 

What a wrong perception and take! Because how many times do your friends or even relatives, NOT take an interest in the child's upbringing and personal development? Let alone guarantee to be there should anything happen to the parents?

And so you have to ask two questions: 
1) Do parents know what they are nominating people as in their children's lives?
2) Are Godparents even still valid parts of society? Is there still a role for them?

One of my Godchildren happens to be my nephew. My sister and my brother in law share the responsibility of being Godparent to him. I would say I am the most active Godparent in the relationship, as my sister stays far away. And yet I still do not see Godson A more than once a month, if we are lucky - does this infer an interest in his upbringing?

Godchild 2, or Exhibit B, is the child of one of my oldest friends. An absolute beaut of a little boy. And yet, I haven't seen him more than a handful of times in his two years of existence. This is not because he disgusts me, smells funny, or even has parents that irritate me or behave badly. It is because we live in a world where roses smelling is strictly prohibited and guilt calls from every angle.

Be the perfect moooommmmmm - calls guilt. Work late every single dayyyyyyyyyyy - calls guilt.

You are divorced shower your children with an all you can eat buffet of attention twenty four hoooouuursssssssss - yells guilt at the top of its lungs.

And then, despite your best intentions, along comes colds, flu, and digestive ailments. Just to add something different in the mix. So that even when you PLAN to see this poor neglected Godchild, you daren't as you will infect the entire household and feel even MOORREEE guilt. 

Typical - says guilt - it is because you work all the time.

And so, my dear Godchildren, A, B and C. I love and adore you all. I want only the very best for you, in every situation and in life and in general. And I have no doubt you will achieve the pinnacle of success. Because you all have amazing parents and are so loved.

And I will endeavor to be a better Godmother. Because you deserve it. And well, because Guilt said so.

Be kind to one another <3