Talk to me about Godparent duties.

[HalebiHabibti]

I would appreciate any help on this! I am one of 4 women who have been picked as 'godmummies' to a lovely baby girl. I don't know the others well, so am just focusing on what is expected of me personally as a godparent and leaving the others to do as they wish.

I am dimly aware of the religious guidance aspect, which is a bit of a non-starter as I'm not at all religious (the parents know this and have said it is not a problem). So my question really is: how do I do godparenting please 😂 I am on board with generally being present in her life, making a fuss on birthdays etc, but am not sure what else people usually do.

My starting idea is to quietly put a small amount of money (25 quid/month) in an account for the young lady so it adds up over time. Please tell me if that is weird!

I am a godmother to my friends daughter. None of us are religious as adults but as friend and her husband are both only children, the child would have no aunts or uncles or cousins, so friend wanted some people to have a more official family type link to her child than just being mums friend. For us its just about being present and showing up for her.

We always get her presents at birthdays and christmas, I get her an easter egg. I treat her like a close niece. She gets on well with my children and has always come on fun days out with us and had sleepovers etc. They live close and she goes to the same schools as my children so I see her school plays and performances and things like that.

When she was younger and excited by post, I used to send her letters and postcards- and like congratulations cards for doing well on her spelling test or whatever- just little stuff that showed her I cared.
Now she is older, she always stays with us during half terms as both her parents work and I get those weeks off.

OP, just a word of warning that if you are in the future asked by another person to be a godparent, be prepared to also fund a savings plan for that child too.

My godmother is my mum’s younger cousin and she was kind of like a young aunt/much older sister role. Buying me my first proper makeup, that sort of thing.

My godfather is an old friend of my parents who they went to uni with. Aside from birthday/Christmas cards, I’ve interacted with him about 5 times over my 40 years. Though he did come to my wedding, which was lovely.

We have a deeply irreligious friend group in general so am not too worried, but a good shout 😂