RELATIONSHIP THESAURUS

GODPARENT AND GODCHILD



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HELPFUL TIP:

Relationships are part of the very fabric of your character’s life. How well or poorly they get along with others oftentimes comes down to personality, so carefully consider the positive traits and negative traits of your story’s cast. Another factor that can pull characters together or create friction is motivation, so keep each individual’s goal—both at the scene and story level—in mind as you write.
DESCRIPTION:
Chosen by the child's parents, the godparent is a family member or good friend who plays the roll of mentor, encourager, and guide to the godchild. In some situations, the godparent is meant to become the child's legal guardian should anything happen to the parent. This relationship encompasses a wide range of dynamics. It's often associated with Catholicism, though other denominations—and even families with no religious affiliation—have adopted the practice.

RELATIONSHIP DYNAMICS:
Below are a wide range of dynamics that may accompany this relationship. Use the ideas that suit your story and work best for your characters to bring about and/or resolve the necessary conflict.

A godchild viewing their godparent as a trusted confidant and advisor
The two hanging out and spending time together
The godchild accepting loving correction from the godparent just as they would from their mother or father
A godchild who has a poor relationship with his real parents relying on the godparent for love, guidance, and even protection
The godparent acting as a surrogate parent if a mother or father is not in the picture
The godparent taking over legal guardianship for a godchild whose parents are deceased
The godparent being more of a figurehead who only makes an appearance at birthdays, graduation, etc.
A godparent exerting more influence or correction than the child or parents are comfortable with
A godchild being influenced by a godparent whose ideals no longer match those of the family
A godparent breaking trust and sharing the godchild's confidences with others
A godparent who makes promises but doesn't keep them
A godchild manipulating their godparent to get what they want

CHALLENGES THAT COULD THREATEN THE STATUS QUO:
The godparent growing old and losing mobility or mental agility
The godchild sustaining a chronic or terminal illness
The child's parent surrendering their rights, and the godparent taking over guardianship
The godparent getting married or adopting a child of their own
The child sharing a secret that the godparent is obligated to talk to someone about (abuse, drug abuse, pursuing a relationship with an adult, etc.)
One party adopting new beliefs that are repugnant or reprehensible to the other
The child's parent becoming estranged from the godparent

WOUNDS THAT COULD FACTOR INTO THE RELATIONSHIP:
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POSSIBLE CONFLICT SCENARIOS:
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CONFLICTING DESIRES THAT CAN IMPAIR THE RELATIONSHIP:
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CLASHING PERSONALITY TRAIT COMBINATIONS:
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NEGATIVE OUTCOMES OF FRICTION:
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FICTIONAL SCENARIOS THAT COULD TURN THESE CHARACTERS INTO ALLIES:
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WAYS THIS RELATIONSHIP MAY LEAD TO POSITIVE GROWTH:
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THEMES AND SYMBOLS THAT CAN BE EXPLORED THROUGH THIS RELATIONSHIP:
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