Naming Day Cermony

**ritawest** · 04-03-2012 19:01

My Husband and I are starting to plan our daughters naming day cermony, And would like so help and information on the topic, We have looked at celebrant websites, but would like some opinions, We are not close to one set of grandparetns our daughter has and were wondering if we should just exclude the whole grandparents part (as to not make the ones we are not as close with feel left out) or if we should go ahead and just have the ones we are close with be a part of the cermony and be acknowledged, (There are exceptional personal reasons as to why we are not close to one set of the parents) We have chosen god parents (or guardians as we like to refer to them) and most of the other things are set, Any help of information would be greatfully appreciated.

**RainbowSky** · 04-03-2012 19:16

Originally Posted by ritawest

My Husband and I are starting to plan our daughters naming day cermony, And would like so help and information on the topic, We have looked at celebrant websites, but would like some opinions, We are not close to one set of grandparetns our daughter has and were wondering if we should just exclude the whole grandparents part (as to not make the ones we are not as close with feel left out) or if we should go ahead and just have the ones we are close with be a part of the cermony and be acknowledged, (There are exceptional personal reasons as to why we are not close to one set of the parents) We have chosen god parents (or guardians as we like to refer to them) and most of the other things are set, Any help of information would be greatfully appreciated.

I have been to quite a few naming days and most don't have a bif focus on grandparents. The last one I went to for a family member had the same sort of dilemma as you as to they are very close to one set but not at all to the other. They ended up just having the celebrant saying something along the lines of "we acknowledge the grandparents of baby XX today and the love and guidance they will provide as XX grows up" etc. It was very simple but nice. One grandparent (one they are close to) then read a poem on behalf of all the grandparents.

IMO if both sets are going to be there, you need to either acknowledge both sets or none at all. Otherwise, to people who dont know the full story or who have been told half-truths by the grandparents, it will just come across as petty. So my vote is to do something simple to acknowledge them all or skip the gparents thing altogether.

**ritawest** · 04-03-2012 19:23

Originally Posted by RainbowSky

I have been to quite a few naming days and most don't have a bif focus on grandparents. The last one I went to for a family member had the same sort of dilemma as you as to they are very close to one set but not at all to the other. They ended up just having the celebrant saying something along the lines of "we acknowledge the grandparents of baby XX today and the love and guidance they will provide as XX grows up" etc. It was very simple but nice. One grandparent (one they are close to) then read a poem on behalf of all the grandparents.

IMO if both sets are going to be there, you need to either acknowledge both sets or none at all. Otherwise, to people who dont know the full story or who have been told half-truths by the grandparents, it will just come across as petty. So my vote is to do something simple to acknowledge them all or skip the gparents thing altogether.

Thank You so much for that, I will take your advice and acknowledge both and just have someone read a poem on behalf of all of them

**jessesgirl** · 04-03-2012 19:50

I like the idea of a naming ceremony, is that in place of being christened etc? How old is your child if you don't mind me asking?

**ritawest** · 04-03-2012 20:30

Originally Posted by jessesgirl

I like the idea of a naming ceremony, is that in place of being christened etc? How old is your child if you don't mind me asking?

Yes we liked the idea of a naming cermony more than a christening or baptism as we arn't very relgious and would like our child to be able to choose and explore there own religion when there older, so yes a naming ceremony is pretty much just in place of a christening, its just welcoming the baby into the family and apointing godparents/guardians etc, Our Daughter is 3 months old

**jessesgirl** · 04-03-2012 20:59

That's lovely!

Dh doesn't care for being christened.. My brother and I were and I always wanted my kids to be that way too, not that I'm religious but basically because it was the norm in my family..

Good luck! Enjoy the day!

**Pammyla** · 05-03-2012 01:39

Im thinking of having one for impending baby (due in may) what part do the grandparents normally play?

**waterlily** · 05-03-2012 06:06

Originally Posted by ritawest

Thank You so much for that, I will take your advice and acknowledge both and just have someone read a poem on behalf of all of them

I think that will be lovely.

**davally** · 05-03-2012 07:13

My DS was christened, but we did it in the round at DH's old school chapel with all our family and friends so less formal than a regular christening. I am not close to my mother (in fact we are pretty much estranged) but I invited her and she blessed the water along with my dad and step-mum (who is a fabulous grandmother to DS) and FIL. If I had had my choice my mother would have played no role but in the long run it was insignificant and seriously who really remembers that she played that part. It also avoided the fallout family drama scene that would have happened if my mum had been excluded and step-mum included.

As the day was about DS I figured it was insignificant. However with this bub (currently 31 weeks pregnant) I doubt I will bother inviting my mother to her christening.