Christening’s and Godparents - How many did you have? (If applicable!) Is 6-8 too many?!

[ChristeningConundrum]

OH and I are planning to have a christening for our DC at some stage but the main decision of how many godparents we have is a big stumbling block. I would like 6 but ideally 8. Simply because each person is important to us (obviously!) and it would be very difficult to narrow down the number of people. For example, 2 of them are siblings and it would be like choosing one over another which we wouldn’t do. If we have 6 it would be 4 from my side and 2 from OH’s side. I would prefer 8 so that we both have 4 from each of our families.

OH says either number is far too many and that ‘it’s just not the done thing’. That’s his only reason for not liking the idea, he thinks it’s strange. He has no objection to any of the prospective godparents and likes/loves them all.

I know it would be a lot but does it really matter if it’s not what most people do?
I feel it’s could be compared to the number of bridesmaids someone might choose, it’s up to the individual/couple.

We are older parents, our DC is long awaited and has brought so much happiness to us and both of our families. It means a lot to me to have a christening and choose godparents who are important to both of us. OH wants our DC to be christened and apart from that and the number of godparents he’s not got much to say about what we do with the arrangements.

BTW, we are very average people, no delusions of grandeur or anything like that! I don’t know why I think it’s important to say that but I do.

I thought I’d ask MN what the general consensus is so that we can gauge what is ‘normal’ and go from there, so here I am!

If you happen to have lots of godparents for your DC’s I would love to know how many!

Sorry it’s so lengthy and far too many exclamation marks!!!!

Lastly, I see the irony in asking MN what’s ‘normal’ and what other people have done whilst also saying does it matter what other people do!

0 Christening and 0 Godparents

What denomination are you? RC is generally one male, one female.

I'm a godmother several times myself and been to many other christening. Most I've seen is 3. Sorry, but 6 or 8 IS ridiculous! They will still be special and in your lives without also being a god parent!

3 Godparents is the absolute max. 6-8 is ridiculous. You need to have more children.

Honestly that sounds ridiculous.
However you sound like a lovely woman and I'm guessing that if I actually knew you I'd say go for it because you're so lovely.

It does seem like a lot but then again I’ve never understood your siblings as godparents - they are already auntie/uncle.

If everyone is willing, and the celebrant (?) is willing to go through the process with eight people, then crack on. Nothing wrong with plenty of people to love and support a child!

I'd say 2-4 is normal. A godparent is someone to support your child's spiritual well-being so I would choose the people whose religious/spiritual views are most in line with how you plan to bring up your child

Ds doesn't have godparents. I had 2 growing up which has been nice.

The only child I'm godmother to has 5 other godparents, and tbh I felt like one of a crowd. It took the pressure off but I haven't done much for her tbh.

2 and had same 2 for each child. Family members (cousins) much more straight forward and easy than friends.

I've never seen more than 4. An easy way to cut it down would be to not include any relatives as godparents as they have an important role in your DC's life already

6 or 8 both sound like huge numbers to me! Are you part of a local church at all? Might be worth speaking to your vicar (or warden etc!) about what they are able to do / facilitate. All christenings I've been to have had a max of four godparents (usually two couples but occasionally non couples, normally two men and two women). I'd say do what you want godparents have a lovely part to play in your child's life - but are you asking them to be godparents as you think they'd do the best leading your child in the way of god? Or just to even up numbers from other sides? I'd try to pick the best people rather than equal people from different family sides!

Yup, 3 is normal.

And 4 is the max usually two couples

3 tops

I haven't had my DCs christened but growing up I always remember my mum saying the correct number was three - one man and two women for a girl and one woman/two men for a boy. No idea if this is some weird outdated bit of etiquette that no-one sticks to any more though! 6-8 seems very excessive.

We’re both Anglican.

I think you may find that people are going to be a bit funny being 1 of 8 godparents, your making.it less special imo

8 seems like a lot of people. Our local church puts photos of baptisms on their FB page, and the vast majority of people have 2 Godparents. The most I've seen is 4, but that's v unusual.

I'm not religious but my husband is and both of our children have 3 godparents. 2 the same sex as them and one of the opposite sex. I have no idea if this is normal but you can add to your data!

I'm a godmother for several children and 6-8 is far too many. I'm one of four for one child and tbh even that is a farce because when it comes to other sacraments it's not clear who's doing what and what the point of four GPs was I've no idea. Two godparents are sufficient.

Three is your number. Six or eight is bonkers. And ‘traditionally’ for a girl the 3 would be 2 x women and 1 x man. For a boy 2 x men and 1 x woman.

@Hankunamatata

And 4 is the max usually two couples

This.

8 is way too many!

Sadly there is a chance we might not be able to have more children, that’s why I think I’m finding it so hard to go with the norm for our DC’s christening.

I haven't had my children christened but when I went to family christenings as a kid, there were usually 2 or 3 godparents.

6 is OTT and 8 is bonkers.