Kid’s Godmother Jokes About Being a Better Parent Than Her Bio Mom, Mother Considers Revoking Her Role

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Feb 6, 2026 3:00 PM EST

When a trusted family friend tries to undermine a mother's parenting skills, she knows she messed up.

Family dynamics shift and evolve over time. When you're stepping into a parental role, you'll never, ever feel fully prepared. The odds of getting everything right on your first try are very low, but that's the unspoken rule of parenting. You never know what you're going to get, but as long as you try your best to be a good provider for your child, then you've done your job.

Often, our need to provide requires more of us than we're comfortable with. What comes with providing is sacrificing quality time with your child to ensure you have all the capital you need to give them a roof to live under, comfy clothes, nourishing food, and the like. That's why it's always a good idea to include trusted individuals in your life in the raising of your children if they'll have it. A helping hand is a helping hand. If the child is happy and healthy, the most difficult (but rewarding) facet of parenthood is done.

When you include those helping hands in your life, you don't expect them to throw their aid back in your face when it suits them. That's what happens in this next story, and no, the joke was not reminiscent of a Comedy Central roast. It was a bit deeper than that, given the joke was made by the mother's long-time friend… who just happens to be her child's godmother.

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  • woman hanging out with baby
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • "AITA for telling my friend she can’t be my child’s godmother anymore?"

    I (27f) have a friend, "Lindsey" (27f), who I've known since highschool. When my daughter was born two years ago, I asked her to be the godmother.
    via throwrafriend_
  • At the time my husband was deployed overseas, and Lindsey was around a lot. She helped me get through that period more than anyone else besides my family.
    via throwrafriend_
  • She'd come over when I was overwhelmed, help with things around the house and kept me company.
    via throwrafriend_
  • I was grateful for her. My husband is home now and things are more normal, but Lindsey is still very involved with my daughter.
    via throwrafriend_
  • I've never had an issue with that. I like that my kid has people who love her.
    via throwrafriend_
  • A few weeks ago we were at a BBQ with family and friends. Lindsey was holding my daughter and talking about how much time they spend together.
    via throwrafriend_
  • Then she said something about how my daughter needs someone who's "actually around all the time" and joked that since I work a lot, maybe she should handle more of the "real parenting stuff." I felt extremely embarrassed and shut down a little after that.
    via throwrafriend_
  • Especially since it was in front of other people. I didn't say anything in the moment.
    via throwrafriend_
  • I left feeling embarrassed and annoyed and unsure if I was overreacting. A couple days later I texted her and told her it bothered me.
    via throwrafriend_
  • She didn't really apologize. She said she loves my daughter and that being a godparent means stepping in when needed, especially since she supported me so much when my husband was gone.
    via throwrafriend_
  • That response made it worse, because it felt like she was justifying what she said instead of understanding why it crossed a line.
    via throwrafriend_
  • I never asked her to co parent. I asked her to be a godmother. Those aren't the same thing.
    via throwrafriend_
  • I eventually told her that I didn't feel comfortable with her continuing in that role if she couldn't respect boundaries around my role as my child's godparent.
    via throwrafriend_
  • I said we might need some space. She hasn't replied. Some friends think I went too far and think that it's not that deep Others think what she said was out of line and that I was right to shut it down.
    via throwrafriend_
  • woman lying on a couch upset
    via Curated Lifestyle For Unsplash+

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • I feel conflicted because she helped me through a really hard time and I don't think she meant to hurt me.
    via throwrafriend_
  • But I also don't think gratitude means I have to ignore something that made me uncomfortable.
    via throwrafriend_
  • I'm also conflicted on starting to distance myself from her, my husband thinks that that's what's best, but I don't know.
    via throwrafriend_
  • She's been there with me the so much but I'm starting to find her behaviour weird.
    via throwrafriend_
  • Objective_Air8976 What she said was completely inappropriate. However with the length of your friendship and the amount of help she's given you I think it would be worth it to try and have an in person conversation about this before you completely cut ties
    via Objective_Air8976
  • OP throwrafriend_ I agree, there's no way I'll cut her off.
    via throwrafriend_

  • The lack of an apology here is what shifts the narrative. If a friend is coming to you with their heart in their hands, you'd be receptive, right? There's a time and place for certain jokes that clearly hold some truth to them, and it's not in front of several people.

    Ripping the label of "mother" away from the real mother's hands creates an uneven balance and, frankly, undermines everything the mother has done for her child. The godmother is in a position to take the high road, but refuses to because of her own ego and pride. How would you react on either side of this situation? Sound off in the comments.

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godmother Story Time Parenting Fail children friendship feud
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