Tips on Being a Godparent

When my brother and his wife asked me to be a godparent to their daughter—well, it was a big deal. I felt honored. And also terrified. Not to mention excited, humbled, overjoyed, overwhelmed and daunted. I knew I wanted to do a good job, to live up to the honor I’d been given, and to make her life better. I just didn’t know how.
Today, eighteen years later, I can tell you that being a godparent is awesome. Like from-the-actual-dictionary awesome, in the sense of inspiring awe, reverence and fear. Whether you’re new to this, or just looking to put a little more into your role, you’ve probably got a similar feeling about it. But don’t worry…I can now officially say that I know what it takes to be a godparent, and today I’ll share a little of my wisdom.
Inspired? Create and share by tagging @hallmarkstores.
Here are a few helpful hints from a seasoned godparent.
Fair warning: The advice you are about to read comes from the heart, but it’s the heart of a Catholic kid who broke into the storeroom at church to drink the communion wine and went skinny-dipping during youth group camping trips. Take it with a grain of salt and 10 Hail Marys.
Understand your role
A godparent’s role depends greatly on the expectations of everybody involved. Don’t be afraid to have a conversation with your godchild’s parents about their expectations. In some cultures, religions and families, a godparent plays a larger role than in others. Take the time to get clarity upfront. Also, remember that your role may change over time and/or with the age of the godchild, which leads me to my second suggestion…
Stay connected in ways that make sense
When my godchild was younger, we lived in the same city. Her parents and I decided we would have one day a week that was just ours. I would pick her up from school every Wednesday, and we would spend time together, do homework, and have dinner. Now that we live in different cities and she’s a teenager (and technically an adult), we stay in touch via text, and I send her cards in the mail several times a month.
Communicating with a teenager is different from communicating with a toddler. As your godchild grows and changes, and as life takes you different places, the ways you stay in touch will, too.
Share from the heart
I am not a churchy person, or even particularly religious anymore, but I still have ideas, philosophies, and opinions about morals, values, and spirituality. I feel comfortable sharing these concepts with my goddaughter, and I think it gives her my perspective about a higher power, right and wrong, and other big notions.
When you share things with your godchild, do so as genuinely as you know how. For me, it boils down to just being myself, speaking from the heart, and staying positive.
Try to share things that are important to you and that help you understand yourself and the world more clearly. For me, this often includes books, authors, movies, music, articles, poems, stories, shows, quotes, podcasts, and other things I can either mention in passing or simply keep track of so I can share it at a later time.
Accept and nurture
Being a godparent means loving your godchild unconditionally. This means accepting her exactly as she is, and loving her for both who she is now and who she will become.
I want to show her I know her and don’t judge her. I want her to understand that I am here for her, no matter what, to help guide and lead her toward the best version of herself. I want her to be able to come to me with good news, bad news, her proudest moments, and her most difficult problems. I want to do my best to help her celebrate victories and navigate difficulties.
My goddaughter just turned 18 and she is getting ready to go away to college (with a full scholarship). I hope my influence has benefitted her and that she takes a little part of me with her wherever she goes. Maybe some of the things she’s learned from me will positively affect her choices and the way she treats people.
At least, that’s what I pray for.
Shop Religious Gifts
See allYou may also like
See more-
Mother's Day What to Write in a Mother's Day Card
Tell her just how much she means using this guide from Hallmark writers.
-
Valentine's Day What to Write in a Valentine's Day Card
Hallmark writers offer up inspiration to help you find just the right loving words to add when you sign a valentine.
-
Family How to Support Foster Families
It’s so exciting when someone you know welcomes a child into their lives, whether by birth, adoption, or fostering...
-
Kids Words of Encouragement for Kids
Whether they’ll fess up to it or not, kids like a pat on the back…especially from their parents. Looking for...
-
Faith How to Start a Prayer Chain
Praying is one of the most ancient of human practices, and to this day, billions of people still believe in its po...
-
Encouragement Comforting Words: What to Say and Do in Tough Times
When someone we know suffers a loss or is going through a difficult situation, we’re often not sure what to say. S...
-
Baby Gifts for New Parents: Thoughtful Things to Give and Do
We know what to get for babies: onesies and blankies and binkies. But what about the newly overwhelmed moms and da...
-
Kwanzaa Kwanzaa Wishes: Connect with a Kwanzaa Card
Kwanzaa, a festival of lights rich in African symbolism, takes place each year from December 26th through January ...
-
Kwanzaa What is Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa, a festival of lights rich in African symbolism, takes place each year from December 26th through January ...
-
Hanukkah Hanukkah Wishes: What to Write in a Hanukkah Card
Hanukkah is a lighthearted festival filled with rich traditions, many of which include food, fun, family and frien...
-
Christmas What is Three Kings Day?
Each January 6th, Latinx families around the world celebrate Three Kings Day— Día de los Tres Reyes Magos...
-
Kids Share the Love: Teaching Kids about Kindness
As parents, we want our children to understand concepts like empathy and kindness. We want to
-
Birthday What to write in a birthday card
When it comes to signing birthday cards...
-
Father's Day 10 homemade Father's Day gifts
Dads like useful things. If you already know this, it’s probably because this isn’t your first Dad Rodeo (that’s w...
-
Card Ideas Envelope Addressing Etiquette
You’ve already written your letter or picked out the perfect card—all that’s left is to address the...
-
Care & Concern To Care is Human: Why and How to Show You Care
What motivates any one of us to care about others? And of all the ways there are to care for people, why do we choose...
-
Mother's Day Free Printable Mother’s Day Coloring Pages
Show Mom, Grandma and Nana how much they mean with printable coloring pages you can decorate just for them. We hav...
-
Wedding What to write in a wedding card
Imagine yourself in the parking lot walking in to your friend’s wedding reception—pen in hand, neck...
-
Christmas Color up some Christmas fun
Listening to Christmas carols, sipping eggnog, hanging out with family and friends—col...
-
Halloween Color up some Halloween fun
Jumpstart your Halloween with our 10 free coloring pages for kids and adults. Just print out any of the 10 designs...