How many godparents are overkill?

[Onthedowns]

My DS being christened in Aug. We have my two sisters and partners, plus my sils partner but I would love a friend also she was a great help when my son was in scbu and has been since but worried it's to many?

[echt]

I thought one was enough, and it was Don Corloene.

[MLGs]

I have 3 for one and 4 for the other.

Then we had to appoint another unofficial one for the first child (wife of an existing godparent, not together at the time)....

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

I was one of 8 Godparents to a boy, parents pissed off 6 of us and so they now only have contact with 2, DC's have 4 each,

[AvaLeStrange]

It can be family, but as their relationship with the child is already in place it seems odd to give them 'extra'.

This was how I felt, particularly as I'm an only child, so for me, the Godparents I chose make up the 'family' from my side.

Obviously everyone's circumstances are different.

[Onthedowns]

It's not about the person being an extra or in child's life it's about being a role model and guiding them through faith too.

[CallWaiting]

I had 5 for my 3rd child, each one was picked for the right reasons and 1 was family. I think it's such an individual thing that, whilst there are norms and guidelines, it's ultimately up the parents and possibly whether there are restrictions in a particular church. In C of E godparents need to be baptised (not necessarily practising) and 3 used to be traditional but it's not a rule.

[whois]

I'm RC - always thorught it was 2 and they had to be practicing.

[Nanny0gg]

I don't get why it can't be family?

It can be family, but as their relationship with the child is already in place it seems odd to give them 'extra'.

Clearly you can have who you want. I think more than 3 is mad, and in my experience, even with family, the odds of them still being in your DC's life by the time they get to 18 is often slim.

[CallWaiting]

4, 5 or 6 is normally fine and many vicars are flexible and don't have strict rules :-)

[wurlycurly]

I am Catholic. I have two godparents. My dd has two godmothers but no godfathers (the men are all committed atheists!). It's interesting reading this because I thought two was the norm but clearly it isn't!

[x2boys]

I,m catholic and my sons have also been baptised carholic they
Both have three godparents both have my sister as their godmother as she is also catholic.

[PaperdollCartoon]

I have three (two female, one male)

I am a godparent and my godchild has 6. Their sibling also has 6. I think it's possibly a bit much but I also think it's up to the parents to choose. Having so many does make it seem a bit less special, kind of like rather than chosing the best/closest people they just chose everyone they liked... My children will probably have 3 or 4 max.

[sonlypuppyfat]

I'm part of the baptism team at my c of e church and we say you can have as many as you want but there's only so much room on the certificate!!

[Twooter]

Effrontery a godparent point of view, I think the fewer there are the more special it feels. If I was one of twelve I wouldn't think there was a special bond whereas being one of two or three I do feel special.

[ItsyBitsyBikini]

I have 3 personally; my uncle, my mums old best friend and my dad's Sil. I haven't seen my mumson best friend since I was 3!
For ds due any day now; I'm having my sis and SIL and we have each picked a close a friend so 4. As we're not having a christening (I'm CofE but DP is atheist) I'm not sure on the rules about getting it set up but at least I have them prepared.

[Gooseysgirl]

We had two for each child (we've got 2 kids), all aunts and uncles. However now that I know we are not having anymore kids I regret not having an extra godparent for each. We're Catholic and there was no problem having more than two. Upper limit for me would probably be four but I think you should just do what you like

[YourPerception]

Two is enough one of each sex.

[Onthedowns]

Thanks we would have 5 but they good people it's very hard!

[BrianCoxReborn]

"5 or more is silly"

Based on what exactly? If you want 30 Godparents or 3, it's up to the parents to chose.

[LettingAgentNightmare]

1. Always one of each sex. No more are needed.

[HereIAm20]

usually 3 - 2 same sex and one opposite sex

[Arkwright]

Usually 2 from the ones I have been to.

[Redglitter]

My nieces were both baptised Catholic. They had 3 godparents each. Eldest niece had 2 non Catholics and youngest niece 1 non Catholic. Seems they're much more relaxed on the 'rules' now. I think any more than 3 is overkill

[Onthedowns]

Thanks I have been through it and our family are best choice, I don't get why it can't be family? I take it seriously so I won't have family unless I think suitable !

[Fink]

Depends on the culture. American hispanics and Philippinos often have a dozen or more.

3 is the norm in CofE.

Maximum of 2 (one man, one woman) is the LAW (not guideline) in RC, but one is fine. Quite a lot of priests will let you have more than 2 but it's technically not allowed.

Why don't you just sack off the partners and have your friend?