| Every Godparent who lives in one country while their | | | | is to offer spiritual nurture. It is not for buying expensive |
| Godchild resides in another country must feel a little bit | | | | presents unlike what popular culture would have you |
| concerned about how they will do justice to their role. I | | | | think. |
| felt the same way recently, when one of my dearest | | | | Maintain Contact and Communication - Even before |
| friends and colleague entrusted her precious firstborn | | | | the child is able to speak, ask the parents to put him or |
| daughter to me as one of her two Godparents. | | | | her on the phone so they get accustomed to hearing |
| The family resides in the Caribbean and I am in Central | | | | your voice. Trust me, your Godchild will recognize you |
| America. True, not too far away. Nevertheless, I am | | | | by your voice the first time they physically meet you. |
| not in the same country and it is still going to be | | | | Keep in contact by sending cards and letters on |
| long-distance affair. As in any relationship, distance can | | | | occasions such as the anniversary of their Baptism |
| make a negative impact. | | | | Dedication, birthdays, illness, or to say 'you are in my |
| Since being asked, I have been thinking about my role | | | | thoughts'. |
| a lot. Moreover, I am accustomed to wearing the other | | | | Today's children seem to be born knowing how to use |
| shoe - giving parents advice on this issue. Therefore, I | | | | a computer. They are more advanced that we the |
| decided to revisit and listen to my own counsel. I | | | | are. If you are reading this online, then perhaps you are |
| believe it wise to take my own advice before all my | | | | not too ancient then. Keep in touch via the Internet by |
| older, and my newest, Godchildren decide to get rid of | | | | using email and Instant Messengers. This can turn out |
| me. | | | | to be a helpful means of contact and your Godchild |
| Being a Godmother, or Godfather is far more serious | | | | knows he or she has someone they can talk to |
| than many people realize. I might be stating the obvious | | | | besides their parents. |
| for some of you. However, the fact is too many | | | | Spend Time With Your Godchild - Whenever possible |
| persons (including some parents) tend to see this | | | | spend time with the family of your Godchild and also |
| responsibility as a position of status and prestige, | | | | invite them, or the child alone, to spend time with you. |
| without realizing that an awesome responsibility has | | | | This might include Summer vacations or other school |
| been placed in their hands. So I made up a list for | | | | breaks and use of your vacation time. |
| myself and I'm sharing it with you. | | | | Give Spiritually Nurturing Care and Gifts - Too often |
| 6 Helpful Long- Distance God Parenting Tips | | | | parents look for Godparents not for the spiritual care |
| Attend First Ceremony - It doesn't matter how far | | | | they can give, but for their capacity to buy their |
| away you live. You should be present at this first | | | | children expensive gifts. Those parents have missed |
| ceremony of Baptism or Dedication. Some churches | | | | the point of this religious role. When properly |
| make this mandatory. My sister & colleague is | | | | understood, God parents should appreciate their role |
| Moravian and my presence is mandatory. I guess I | | | | primarily as support in spiritual education and nurture of |
| won't be missing this ceremony! | | | | children. |
| Make a Chart of your one or several God children- I | | | | Even though you are far away, you can still give |
| have 6! I heard of this excellent idea and thought it | | | | meaningful gifts that will help to affirm the spiritual care |
| was just so practical. Keep your chart in a prominent | | | | and education of your Godchild. It makes sense then |
| place. It can be a mini-one in your diary or a large one | | | | that your gifts be mostly of a religious nature. This is |
| hanging from a wall in your bedroom or office. Use this | | | | not an easy choice when competing with violent video |
| chart to also boost your prayers for your Godchild. | | | | games, dolls that scream out commercialized versions |
| List their names, birthday, date of Baptism or | | | | of beauty, and other useless and psychologically |
| Dedication, other rites of passage like first day at | | | | damaging toys. |
| school and so on. In this regard, you will need the help | | | | So, I hear the question every godparent must now be |
| of the parents to send you informative updates and | | | | asking. Where on earth do I get these 'spiritual nurturing |
| pictures. | | | | gifts' that are not boring? Listen, that is a whole new |
| Pray Regularly - Keep your Godchild(ren) on your | | | | story. I'm still searching so look out for my suggestions. |
| prayer list and pray for them. Your role as Godparent | | | | |