For those of us who believe the tentacles of “family” extend far beyond only those with whom we share a biological bond, author Bruce Feiler offers a new take on the traditional Godparent role, in an article that appeared in last Sunday’s New York Times. Below is an excerpt of his piece, “The Godparent Trap,” which appeared in the Fashion and Style section. If you’d like to read the article in it’s entirety, click here.

A host of new societal norms point to [a] renewed need for broadening familial bonds. Divorce creates many single parents and disjointed families. With social mobility, more children grow up separated from their extended families. Parents work longer; often both parents do. It’s hard to think of a mom or dad who doesn’t feel overwhelmed. A new generation of godparents could help, but what are the new ground rules?

Here are three. Read the rest of this entry …