Questions about godparents and their godchildren

[Stephanida]

Hi! My turn to ask the annoying questions! :)

I am godmother to an adorable little 6 year old. She is my little :angel: but I am not able to comunicate and see the way Orthodox live except for TAW. So I have LOTS of questions!

I want to know what exactly are my rights and responsabilitys.

How much am I expected to teach her?

What exactly is the relationship between the the godparent and the child?

At what point should I stop being the one (and make her parents do it instead) to insure evening prayers are done and prayers before meals are done ect?

Please note, I did say at the very beginning that it was questions :blush:

Thanks in advance everyone!

With love in Christ,

Stephanida

[pilgrimtim]

AS GOD parent your job is the spiritual development of the Child. Although it might be good of the parents took more responsibility your job will never end.
In some church the GOD parents bring the children up for Communion
You should teach everything she need to be a faithful Orthodox Adult.
Your relationship with her is up to you and how you want to organize it.
In America there is not a strong tradition. I now in Romania it is like having a second grandma but without the family ties. So you are the guardian of her soul and spiritual life. My wife (38 years old) still goes to see her (Nasha) GODmother whenever whe is in Romania. My Daughter is buying her (Nasha) GODmother a special gift today. Love you GOD daughter as you would a real daughter. In the church they understood that the GOD children had the same rights as the flesh children.

[Stephanida]

Thank you that helps a lot! Anyone else have any comments?

[choirfiend]

Be as an aunt or something to her. Teach her to pray, take her to church if her parents do not, communicate with her, be an advisor, a safe haven for her so that as she grows, she may entrust things to you that she would keep from her parents. Be her counselor and most importantly, live a life that will show her what it is to be an Orthodox Christian, that she may never fall away.

Ooh, and make her cookies, too :) Just be a friend and someone she can look up to.

[Stephanida]

Thanks choirfiend! And thanks pilgrim. You both have been so kind to answer my questions. Any good prayers you can recommend to do with or for children?