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Original poster

Christening Dilemma

35 replies

godparentdilemma · 08/01/2025 17:25

I really want to have my baby Christened, she's almost 8 months old.

But I find myself delaying it because I don't have anyone I can ask to be Godparents. One of my siblings is very atheist and went off on a rant when I said I wanted to get them Christened, the other is not very interested in my baby and hates children in general. I potentially have one friend I could ask but I wouldn't really want her husband to be Godfather. Aside from that, I don't have anyone to ask. DH doesn't have much family, and we don't have lots of close friends. We have a lot of distant relatives and people we know in a somewhat professional capacity who we would invite to the Christening though.

I know that the church (CoE) would potentially appoint people to act as Godparents, but I wouldn't be happy with strangers being my baby's Godparents.

I feel like I will be embarrassed at the service, most Christenings I've been to people have 4+ people, everyone will know I don't have anyone close to me. AIBU to feel worried about this? Has anyone else with a small circle had their children Christened and how was it?

OP posts:
crumblingschools · 08/01/2025 17:37

Have you not got any friends through baby groups?

LadyTable · 08/01/2025 17:36

Do you not chat to anyone from church?

Ask if they do coffee meetings so you can get to know the congregation better?

Floranan · 08/01/2025 17:35

You can have his many or few as you like, ask your friend you don’t need her husband as well. And maybe a friend of your husband?. I had my father as a godparent there’s no age restriction. But tbh just your friend would be fine

PenguinLove1 · 08/01/2025 17:35

Also - my church was fine with having one that wasnt in the faith as long as the other was if that also helped

PenguinLove1 · 08/01/2025 17:35

You can also just have one - i only have a godmother and no godfather and it was totally fine

Parker231 · 08/01/2025 17:34

Friends from your church?

Yellowpingu · 08/01/2025 17:31

You don’t have to have the husband if you don’t want to. For my DS’s Godparents we didn’t have any couples. I have 4 Godsons and my DH is only Godfather to one of them (his DB’s child).

PoissonOfTheChrist · 08/01/2025 17:31

Just ask a couple of members of the congregation that you're close to.

horseymum · 08/01/2025 17:29

Is there noone you can ask at your church who you trust and think will be a good Godly influence in their lives? Why are the people at your church strangers? Maybe take some time to get to know them and see how you feel then.

IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday · 08/01/2025 17:29

Some churches only allow 2 godparents so there's no shame in having only 2. I don't think you have to ask people as couples, so could you ask your friend who you would consider, and then you just need your husband to choose one godfather from his side?

Sorry it's causing you stress, anything that feels like it turns into a popularity contest is never nice when your circle is small.

I hope you can make some decisions and have a lovely day celebrating your baby.