She wants to be called 'Godmother'

[smearedinfood]

I'm an atheist and my DP is a catholic. We agreed that my son could be christened on the basis that if I was not religious it should matter to me and I could tell him about my views and in the end my son could choose for himself.

My DP chose his best friend to be god father along with his wife. His wife is Brazillian and the best friend converted to catholism for her.

In the weekend they pulled my DP aside and requested that my son call her 'Godmother' we got in the car to go home afterwards and DP told in a I've just had this odd conversation kind of tone. We both stated that we never referred to our own god parents in that way. Now that I've had a day to think about it I'm quite offended by the idea. I know DP will be shy of taking the bull by the horns on this.

Oh wisdom of Mumsnet how best to respond? Before I correct her correction one day and say "no darling it's actually 'godmother over mum's dead body'"

Point to note, DS is quite shy (with everyone) and doesn't reciprocate her affection for him.

AMuminScotland has put it beautifully and sensibly.

DSs call all their godparents either Parrain or Marraine, French for godfather and godmother. And all family members who are godfathers or godmothers are called this by their godchildren. So DH's niece refers to us as "Parrain and Aunty Imp".

It's a cultural thing, and they would all be really upset if someone told them they found it offensive. But ultimately they would suck it up I suppose, for the sake of a good relationship with their godchild.

In France it's also fairly common to give your children the names of their godparents as middle names, so at least you don't have that to contend with too (That was a fight I'd rather forget)

Anyone would think that she wanted to be called something like Daughter of the Holy Christ our Lord Jesus Christ .

You are obviously going to make it clear that you are offended by her request despite other people's advice. I hope that it isn't going to torpedo the relationship between you and her.

God parents and any adult friends of mine are jus uncle and aunty. I've never thought of a gm expecting to be known as gm! That's v odd. Do they do that in brazil?

I've now just read more of the thread. (Dumbo over here didn't do that first.)

Yabu. That's the culture. To now dictate how she will be gm is too much. Be glad she's interested. The worst thing is here she's known as gm. Gee that's so huge I'm yawning. If you cannot sit with people taking this role seriously if given it, don't do it.

I have talked to DP tonight and let him know I am unhappy with the term gm. I could see his eyebrows ticking away thinking how he is going to tell them, but am so much happier getting it off my chest.

Did you offer him any alternatives? Maybe show him this thread?

I think if you say something to your child's godmother, you will offend her deeply, and come over as dreadfully rude. However, I see from your last post you're leaving it to your partner to do your dirty work.

It's really not worth getting worked up over.

I don't think he should be saying how "unhappy" you are with it. i think he should eb saying that in this country it's more usual to use "Aunty".

You're taking this way too personally OP, it's just a cultural difference. Your child has a Godparent who is actually religious and is taking it seriously!

sorry about typos.

Could it be a Brazilian cultural practice as they are more practicing catholics so the whole christening thing is more formal? Be careful how you approach as you dont want to lose a friendship over it. Can you Say something like aunty is how godmothers are referred to in the UK/our family / friends circle. She isnt the actual godparent, her partner is. I think its more of an over enthuisiastic cultural expression and you are dealing with it in a Hugh Grant type way.

I'd try and go with whatever she would be called in Brazilian. Simply explain that "God-Mother" sounds far too formal in English but you understand she wants to take her role seriously and it is important to her. No one need be offended.

So you chose a devout woman from a deeply catholic country to be your child's godmother, and now you're surprised she's taking it seriously? .

For what it's worth, by the way, in the part of my family that 's very very old fashioned posh English, "Godmamma" is used. And Lord Peter Wimsey uses it.

Maybe your dh could explain to her that people don't do that in the UK, they just use Auntie or first names. No need to tell her you find the idea offensive. Presumably you always speak English to her and she to you and your ds, so Auntie or first name is the usual term. If she continues to ask to be called Godmother, tell her that just doesn't work in English.

I'm from a Catholic family and I have never heard of anyone calling their godparents anything other than their names. If I was in the OP's shoes I would be really surprised by this request so I don't think it is at all unreasonable that she wasn't prepared for it.

I don't think it's a good idea to tell the godmother that you are offended by her suggestion because the only result will be that she is then in turn offended. It's fine to say no on the grounds that this isn't an English tradition, and that you find it overly formal. some English families call close friends Uncle and Auntie, so Tia might be a option to suggest (easy for your ds too). Seems a bit weird to say that she should be called Godmother, but her husband not be called Godfather...